In the spring of 2021, a tragedy befell the New York City Police Department with the death of Deputy Inspector Denis Mullaney, a 44-year-old male who served as the commanding officer of the 107th Precinct in Queens. A Queens native of Irish American heritage, Mullaney had dedicated over two decades of his life to the force, steadily rising through the ranks since joining in September 2000.
He had only recently taken command of the 107th Precinct in September of the previous year, focusing on quality-of-life issues within the community.
On the afternoon of Monday, April 5, 2021, concern grew for the Deputy Inspector after he reportedly contacted family members and a colleague, the executive officer of his precinct, making statements that indicated he was contemplating suicide. An urgent effort to find him was launched, with officers attempting to track his location through his cellphone.
The search led them to a quiet street near Kissena Park. There, inside his department-issued vehicle, officers discovered Mullaney suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency services were immediately called to the scene at the intersection of Booth Memorial Avenue and 164th Street, and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead.
The news of Mullaney's death sent shockwaves through the NYPD and the Queens community he served. His death was reported as the first suicide of an active-duty NYPD officer in 2021, highlighting a persistent mental health crisis within the department. In the absence of any foul play, there was no criminal investigation, and consequently, no suspects were identified or arrests made in connection with his death.
