In the autumn of 2019, a wave of sorrow washed over the Fresh Meadows community in Queens, New York, with the tragic passing of Police Officer Linhong Li. On the evening of October 15th, officers from the 107th Precinct were called to a residence near Union Turnpike and 178th Street. Inside, they discovered the off-duty officer with a fatal gunshot wound. His wife made the devastating discovery and immediately sought help.
He was a 33-year-old man who had dedicated his life to service, first as a U.S. Marine in Iraq and then as a member of the New York City Police Department.
The news of his death, which was determined to be a suicide, sent ripples of grief through the city and the police department. It was a stark reminder of the immense pressures faced by law enforcement officers. His passing marked the tenth such loss for the NYPD that year, amplifying the urgent conversation around mental health support for those who wear the badge. He was remembered as a dedicated public servant who bravely served his city in the 24th Precinct on the Upper West Side.
The loss was felt deeply by those who knew him and by the wider community he served. Local leaders and community members expressed their profound sadness and offered heartfelt condolences to his wife and family during the incredibly difficult time. His untimely death was described as a great loss for the Borough of Queens and the entire city, highlighting the unseen struggles that can affect even the strongest among us. The circumstances of his passing underscored a call to action for greater awareness and utilization of mental health services for police officers, who confront trauma and stress in their daily duties of protecting the city.
