In the summer of 2019, the community of Staten Island and the New York Police Department were struck by the tragic death of one of their own. Michael John Caddy, a 29-year-old NYPD officer, passed away on June 14, 2019. A beloved son, husband, and a loving father to his two children, Justin and Isabella, his death resonated deeply with those who knew him.
For seven years, Caddy had served the city as a domestic violence officer, dedicated to his work and his community.
Beyond his uniform, he was a man of many passions. A talented guitar player since his teenage years, he played in a band with his sister, Danielle. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life, like listening to music, going to the movies, and cheering on the Yankees. Above all, he cherished the time spent with his family and embraced his role as a father.
The circumstances of Officer Caddy's death were deeply painful for his family, friends, and the entire police force. He was discovered in his car near the 121st Precinct on Wilcox Street, having died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His passing came during a period of significant personal stress, as he was going through a divorce. Because his death was ruled a suicide, there was no criminal investigation, and consequently, no arrests were made or suspects identified.
The loss of Officer Caddy was part of a larger, troubling pattern within the NYPD at the time. He was the third officer to die by suicide in a short period, a fact that brought the issue of mental health among law enforcement to the forefront. In the wake of these tragedies, NYPD leadership emphasized the critical need for mental health support for officers and encouraged them to seek help without fear of stigma. The focus after his death was on supporting his grieving family and colleagues, and on fostering a more open conversation about the immense pressures faced by those who wear the badge. A funeral Mass was held at St. Ann's Church in Dongan Hills on June 19, 2019, where family, friends, and fellow officers gathered to say their final goodbyes.
