Ryne Kinsella, a 28-year-old white male from Chicago, IL, tragically passed away on June 6, 2018. Kinsella, a veteran of the United States Air Force, former Chicago police officer, and a second-year member of the Chicago Fire Department, was found dead in his home on the South Side of Chicago. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a suicide as a result of a gunshot wound to the head.
Kinsella's death was particularly devastating for the Mount Greenwood neighborhood,
where he lived and was well-loved. He was known for his dedication to his community and his willingness to help others. On the night of his death, many of his classmates from the Fire Academy gathered to mourn his loss.
Kinsella had been under investigation by the Chicago Fire Department's Internal Affairs Division and the city's Office of Inspector General. The investigations were related to his involvement in a racially charged incident that led to the fatal shooting of Joshua Beal, a 25-year-old African-American man, by police in 2016. Kinsella, who was off-duty at the time, had attempted to perform CPR on Beal after he was shot by two off-duty police officers during a heated traffic confrontation.
The internal fire department investigation was dropped when the inspector general stepped in, and that agency's investigation continued. Kinsella reportedly left a note before taking his own life. His death has left a lasting impact on his family, friends, and colleagues, who remember him as a dedicated and compassionate individual.
