[AL] On-Duty Domestic Suicide Of Officer Bobby Hancock Leads To VHPD Training

Vestavia Hills Police Officer Bobby Hancock

Mar 11, 1970 – Nov 1, 2017 (Age 47)

VESTAVIA HILLS PD HOLDS TRAINING FOR COPING WITH DEPRESSION - Vestavia Hills police officers getting suicide prevention training
March 29, 2019
[Excerpts] First Responders in Vestavia Hills learned more about coping with depression and possible suicide on Friday. In 2017, 47-year-old Vestavia Hills officer Robert Hancock took his own life while on duty... “It really brought to life to a lot of us that this is something that happens we hear about but you don’t see it until you have to deal with it,” Capt. Johnny Evans said... “The research shows they are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty,” said Annette Rowland with the Alabama Dept. of Rehabilitation Services. The main message was to watch for sudden differences in themselves or colleagues. “A change in behavior. If you notice someone is acting differently they have in the past they are showing signs of depression,” said Andrea Carroll with the Alabama Dept. of Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. Experts said one of the biggest problems for officers or firefighters is admitting there is a problem. “They don’t want to be seen as weak. They don’t want to be seen as needing help so sometimes it’s difficult for them to ask for help,” Carroll said. A lesson many hope to learn after the loss of Hancock. “Since we have started this training we have become aware of some things looking back on it we probably should have,” Evans said... [Full article here]

(Why did he come to his wife's job to kill himself?
It definitely makes this domestic.)

Every suicide is so tragic, thinking on the darkness that must precede it. 

What manifestations warned that harm was near? What, if anything could really have changed the outcome? Only those who know the context, history, and the man - the family and department know the dynamics.

His death served at least to lift the conversation in his department. Maybe it will help someone else to get help before they contemplate the same.

This blog, tragically packed with officer involved murder-suicides, is an extensive testament to how dangerous an officer's suicide can be to anyone they are close to or angry with. THAT is not mentioned in the training article above, and also needs to be stressed. Teach safety of all.

2017 NEWS:

VESTAVIA HILLS ON-DUTY POLICE OFFICER DIES FROM SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE HEAD
Nov 1, 2017
[Excerpts] A Vestavia Hills police officer was rushed to UAB Hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He died a short time after he arrived at the hospital.
Police officials said they are asking for prayers for the family and fellow officers... Officers could be heard screaming "step it up" to the medics... The self-inflicted shooting took place while the officer was in uniform and on duty. He was behind his wife's business. [Full article here]

VESTAVIA HILLS POLICE OFFICER DIES FROM SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND
Nov 2, 2017
[Excerpts] Sources tell WVTM 13 that Vestavia Hills Police Officer Robert "Bobby" Hancock died at the hospital after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head Wednesday... The entrance to the [REDACTED] Barber Shop was taped off by police... [Full article here]

VESTAVIA HILLS SIBYL TEMPLE LIT BLUE IN HONOR OF OFFICER
Nov 3, 2017
[Excerpt] Following the death of a Vestavia Hills police officer, the Sibyl Temple that serves as Vestavia Hills' welcome sign will be lit in blue lights for the next week to honor the officer's memory. The officer, who was identified Thursday as Robert "Bobby" Hancock, died Wednesday as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident occurred in the Shoppes at City Hall off of U.S. 31 behind a strip of a businesses, including the barber shop Hancock's wife owns... [Full article here]

VESTAVIA HILLS POLICE IDENTIFY OFFICER WHO FATALLY SHOT HIMSELF
Nov 2, 2017
[Excerpts] Vestavia Hills police have released the name of one of their own who died Wednesday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound... Hancock, 47, previously worked for the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Bessemer Police Department. He left Bessemer in 2013 to join the Vestavia Hills Police Department... Hancock took his own life about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday behind a strip of shops on U.S. 31 where his wife owns a barber shop. The barber shop remains closed today... [Full article here]t

VESTAVIA OFFICER WHO SHOT HIMSELF BEHIND WIFE’S BUSINESS IDENTIFIED
November 02, 2017
[Excerpts] ...A post on the department’s Facebook page reads, “Officer Robert “Bobby” Hancock’s tour of duty ended yesterday. Bobby loved serving as a police officer and was loved by each of us at VHPD. He will forever be missed by all who knew him. We ask for community’s continued prayers for Bobby’s family, friends and colleagues. We also ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time”... [Full article here]

VESTAVIA HILLS POLICE OFFICER DIES AFTER SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND

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