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On-Duty Officer Takes Own Life After Facebook Fight With Girlfriend
The scene where the uniformed officer shot himself early this morning.
New York Daily News via YellowBrix
May 18, 2011
NEW YORK – An on-duty city cop distraught over a possible breakup with his girlfriend pulled out his gun in front of her and fatally shot himself in the head early Tuesday.
“I love you,” Officer Philip Chlanda told his girlfriend before pulling the trigger on a Manhattan street.
The 29-year-old cop argued with his gal pal after he looked at her Facebook page to see if she was seeing anyone else, said Paul Browne, NYPD’s chief spokesman.
“He was left with the impression that she might leave him,” Browne said.
Chlanda, in uniform and on a meal break, left the apartment on E. 36th St. where he and the girlfriend lived with his parents. The couple walked downstairs and continued their argument on the sidewalk near the cop’s squad car.
As he pulled his service .9mm Glock about 3:20 a.m., the girlfriend ran toward him, but not in time to stop him firing, Browne said.
Chlanda was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, but died.
Browne called it “a sad, tragic incident.”
He said the officer, a 4-year veteran, had “an unblemished record,” with no issues. Chlanda was assigned to the 1st Precinct in Tribeca.
The couple had lived together in a room in his parents’ third floor apartment, he said, and planned to get their own apartment soon. “Nobody saw this coming,” said Browne.
“He was a gentle sort of fellow, very courteous,” said a neighbor, Dr. Rosemary Clemens. “It’s very unsettling. It’s particularly terrible when it’s somebody in the line of duty protecting others. He must have been a very troubled soul. All we can do is hope he’s in a better place.”
LAWMANTUKES
about 2 years ago
6558 Comments
Rest in peace Officer Chlanda............
LonnaNJ, thank-you for your dedication and attention to this aweful and real threat that exsist amongst our ranks. I experienced the lost of one of my fellow Officers in a similar situation back in Nov of 09'. And anyone that has a plan of action to assist and reach out to those so desperately in need of help, in my book deserves all the help and support that can be brought to bare. Good look and many wishes of success in your combined efforts.
danchey05
about 2 years ago
700 Comments
This is so sad. I can't imagine being in a place where I felt this was the only answer. I hope that none of my guys ever feel that way either. I hope they would all know that they have options and a friend who is willing to listen no matter what time of day they need one. I think that is the important lesson here for everyone, to let your co-workers know that they have a friend and a sympathetic ear whenever they may need one. I know there are a lot of guys that I work with right now who need to know that due to personal problems. I pray for this officer's family, friends, and co-workers.
jakesdad
about 2 years ago
298 Comments
A permanent solution to a temporary problem. What a waste.
MidnightMike
about 2 years ago
470 Comments
CarbonComplexion, I disagree with you in regard to the social vnetworks. They only destroy your life if you allow that to happen. There are many ways you can avoid this--you have to rise above it.
As COLORADO has said, officers need take advantage of the resources that are available to help them in times of need and stress. We are all human and need help at some point. NEVER be afraid to ask for it !!
THis is a tragic situation for all involved. My prayers and sympathies go out to them.
darsavmo
about 2 years ago
10764 Comments
RIP, very sad and unfortunate. LE needs an outlet to go to where someone can talk and vent problems with professionals w/o being in fear of retaliation by the department and the risk of being put on the rubber gun squad or fired. I'm sure tension has been building within the officer for some time and never properly vented, and the argument was just the spark needed to result with this outcome...
LonnaNJ
about 2 years ago
5062 Comments
Very Sad, May Officer Chandler RIP, and May god grant his family friends and Coworkers the strength to move forward after this tragic event.
I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE and give kudos to COLORADOIVESTIGATORS 2 Important Comments which contain actual Resources for Officers.........
Aside from fostering a life-saving/life-changing personal relationship with Christ, here are some excellent police suicide resources:
http://badgeoflife.com/resources.php
and www.psf.org/
We are losing an estimated one officer a day -- up to 400 a year -- due to suicide. Those of us who are both cops and active in law enforcement ministry outreach are working hard to change this stat. We have Phil's family and colleagues in prayer.
Det. Sgt. M.C. Williams
Director/Chaplain, www.TheCenturionLawEnforcementMinistry.org
mz66
about 2 years ago
3462 Comments
@Carbon--social networks ain't got nothing to do with it. Read what Robocop said earlier--I agree with him 100% (even though I've still opted out of FB myself)
Andrea312
about 2 years ago
520 Comments
RIP Such a sad ending. I think there had to have been something else though, some other underlying issue, that would cause this man to take his own life.
T_9
about 2 years ago
5674 Comments
Rest in peace brother.
CarbonComplexion
about 2 years ago
12 Comments
Social networks DESTROY peoples lives. I don't understand why everyone is so obsessed with them.
uncledennis1
about 2 years ago
22238 Comments
Sad. Too bad he didn't seek some professional help.
lemmonw
about 2 years ago
464 Comments
RIP, sad situation. I hope people can learn from this somehow
Maugwa
about 2 years ago
904 Comments
Unbelieveable......Chland must have been suffering from some form of depression or was already mentally unstable. Why would any man kill themselves over a woman is beyond me. Nice going dude, you have brought a tremendous amount of pain and sadness to your family, friends and co-workers. Geeezus.
DonnaLynn
about 2 years ago
9340 Comments
Rest in peace, Officer Chland. Very sad situation.
Irishcop1961
about 2 years ago
36854 Comments
Rest in Peace Officer Chland. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and the NYPD.