Utica, NY — Today, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119) hosted a press conference at the Utica
State Office Building alongside law enforcement leadership and officers in recognition of Law Enforcement
Suicide Awareness Day ahead of tomorrow’s observance, presenting New York State Assembly Resolutions
memorializing the proclamation of September 26th, 2026 as Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day in the State
of New York.
Observed in conjunction with National Law Enforcement Suicide Awareness Day, and coinsiding with the
National observance of Suicide Awareness Month, the statewide day of awareness was created by the national
advocacy organization Blue H.E.L.P. in 2020 to recognize and honor officers lost to suicide, amplify mental health
conversations within the law enforcement community, and reduce the stigma around seeking support, affirming
that a single moment does not define an officer’s life or legacy.
Research cited in the Resolution, Assembly K.1576, notes that more law enforcement officers die by suicide each
year nationally than are feloniously killed in the line of duty. Between 2016 and 2022, 1,287 public safety
personnel, including law enforcement and correctional officers, tragically died by suicide nationwide, a devasting
average of nearly 184 deaths per year. According to the data, these losses are concentrated among local
departments and larger agencies in particular, underscoring that no department, regardless of size or jurisdiction, is
untouched by this crisis. Continuing to talk openly about mental health within the law enforcement community
remains essential to reaching officers before a moment of crisis becomes a permanent loss, and every department,
agency, civic leader, and community member has a role to play in ensuring that no officer feels they must face that
struggle alone.
“Every law enforcement officer we lose to suicide is a tragedy that ripples through their department,
their family, and our entire community,” said Buttenschon. “This resolution is a reminder that seeking
support is never a sign of weakness, but of strength, and that no officer should feel that they must carry
that weight alone. I am grateful to our local law enforcement community who have joined us today to
help carry this message forward.”
“Two to three times as many police officers lose their lives to suicide each year than to line-of-duty
incidents. While the average civilian encounters two to three critical incidents in a lifetime, a police
officer experiences between 500 and 800 over a 20-year career. This cumulative trauma, combined with
the severe professional pressures inherent to law enforcement, serves as a primary driver of these tragic
statistics. Consequently, any measures or resources implemented to support officer well-being and
alleviate these burdens are profoundly valuable and appreciated.”~~Chief Olney, Whitesboro Police
Department
If you or a law enforcement officer you know is struggling, help is available:
● 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 for 24/7, free and confidential support.
● Crisis Text Line — Text BLUE to 741741 to connect with free, 24/7 confidential support.
● COPLINE — A confidential, 24-hour hotline answered by trained retired law enforcement officers,
offering continuous critical clinical support. Call 1-800-267-5463 or visit http://www.copline.org.
● First H.E.L.P. — A searchable database connecting first responders with emotional, financial, and
spiritual assistance. Visit 1sthelp.org.
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About Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon
Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon proudly represents New York’s 119th Assembly District, encompassing
the cities of Utica and Rome as well as the Towns of Floyd, Deerfield, Marcy, and Whitestown. From a lifelong
educator and former Dean of Public Service and Emergency Preparedness at Mohawk Valley Community College,
to a small family farm owner, Buttenschon brings decades of experience advocating for equity, access, and
opportunity across public health, education, agriculture, and emergency services. In the Assembly, she serves as
Chair of the Committee on Small Business and as a member of the Agriculture, Education, Higher Education, and
Veterans’ Affairs Committees, where she champions bipartisan solutions to improve quality of life. Her work
reflects a steadfast commitment to ensuring that every family in her district and beyond can live with dignity,
support, and a voice in their future.
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