Steven Joseph Bechina, a 47-year-old white male, tragically passed away on September 3, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois. Steven Bechina was a dedicated Chicago Police Sergeant who had served the department for nearly 25 years. On the day of his death, he was found unresponsive in his patrol vehicle in the 0-100 block of North Des Plaines Street. He was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead.
The cause of death was determined to be suicide, as he had shot himself with his duty weapon while on duty.
Steven Bechina's death was a significant loss to his family, friends, and colleagues. He was a loving husband to Lori, a fellow Chicago police officer, and a devoted father to their two sons, Marty and Luke. His passing left a profound impact on those who knew him, and his family received an outpouring of support from the community and fellow officers.
There were no arrests, suspects, or litigations related to Steven Bechina's death, as it was ruled a suicide. The Chicago Police Department and the Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed the circumstances surrounding his death. His passing highlighted the mental health challenges faced by law enforcement officers, and it was the third suicide among Chicago police officers within a short period.
The Chicago Police Department expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Steven Bechina and emphasized the importance of mental health support for officers. Superintendent Eddie Johnson acknowledged the issue of suicide within the department and stressed the need for accessible mental health resources to prevent such tragedies in the future.
