On a Tuesday in early March of 2017, a 47-year-old male, Michael Gerard Smith, was found deceased in his Brooklyn, New York, residence. A long-serving member of the New York City Police Department, Smith had dedicated 23 years to the force, most recently serving as a Community Affairs Officer in the 70th Precinct. His death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In the hours leading up to his death, Smith had reportedly been with his girlfriend, who was a lieutenant in the
same precinct. An argument between the two is said to have preceded the tragic event. Following the dispute, Smith took his own life. The incident left his colleagues and community in shock, as they mourned the loss of a veteran officer.
Further details that emerged in the aftermath painted a picture of a man dealing with personal turmoil. It was reported that shortly before his death, Smith had made significant changes to his pension benefits, allegedly removing his wife as a beneficiary and designating his girlfriend instead. This action, coming to light after his passing, added another layer of complexity to the circumstances surrounding his decision to end his life. No arrests were made in connection with his death as it was determined to be a suicide.
