In the early morning hours of June 2, 2017, the quiet streets of Babylon, New York, became the backdrop for a tragedy involving a dedicated public servant. Charles Decimus, a 40-year-old male New York State Trooper, was found deceased in his patrol car at 2:55 a.m. His fellow troopers had initiated a search for him after he failed to appear for a scheduled work assignment. Utilizing GPS tracking, they located his vehicle on Francine Avenue.
Upon their arrival, the grim discovery was made; Trooper Decimus had sustained a fatal, self-inflicted gunshot wound. The initial investigation into his death was complicated by a puzzling detail: his service weapon was missing from the scene. This anomaly briefly led investigators to consider various possibilities. However, the mystery of the missing firearm was soon resolved.
It was discovered that a young person residing near the location where Decimus's vehicle was parked had come across the scene. Believing the trooper to be asleep, the individual approached the car with the intention of recording a video. Upon realizing Trooper Decimus was deceased, the young man took the trooper's handgun. This individual, who has not been publicly identified, was later apprehended and faced charges for the theft of the weapon.
The investigation concluded that Trooper Charles Decimus's death was a suicide, and there was no indication of foul play. Consequently, there were no suspects or arrests in connection with his death itself. Having served honorably for a decade, his passing was mourned by his colleagues and brought to light the immense pressures faced by law enforcement officers. The incident prompted discussions within the State Troopers PBA about enhancing mental health support and counseling programs to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
