A Nashua police captain took his own life. His department wants to raise awareness about the ‘epidemic’ of suicide among law enforcement.
“We are hopeful that by not remaining silent about Jon’s death by suicide, we can honor who he truly was and encourage others to reach out for help.”
On Monday, Nashua police announced that a 20-year member of the department had passed away while visiting family on the West Coast.Three days later, Nashua Police Chief Michael Carignan revealed that Capt. Jonathan Lehto had taken his own life. He expressed hope that transparency about his officer’s death would help raise awareness about the “epidemic” of suicide in the law enforcement and first responder community.“Suicide is a national issue which does not exclude the first responder community,” Carignan said in a statement on Thursday, which has been widely shared on social media. “Only recently has it become more openly acknowledged and discussed. Jon’s death by suicide proves we must deal with this truth. Moving forward, we do not want anyone else to feel as though they are locked into this decision.”Carignan and Lehto’s family are being praised for their courage in being transparent about the captain’s death in order help others and raise awareness.
Thinking of Captain Lehto, his family, and the entire @NashuaPolice Dept. It’s Suicide Prevention Week in New Hampshire, and we can all help prevent suicide by reaching out to people who are struggling. If you, or someone you know, is in need of support, call 1-800-273-TALK. https://t.co/ytRl5hEZ7f
— Chris Sununu (@GovChrisSununu) September 12, 2019
“Thank you to Captain Lehto’s family and to the Nashua Police Department for your bravery in sharing this,” New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan wrote. “You are right — it is so important for us to openly acknowledge that suicide affects every community.”
Thank you to Captain Lehto’s family and to the @NashuaPolice Department for your bravery in sharing this.
You are right – it is so important for us to openly acknowledge that suicide affects every community.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. https://t.co/ENkOQnm0iu
— Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) September 12, 2019
“We need to do all we can to raise awareness, eliminate the stigma about discussing mental health, and deliver help to officers,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said.
My thoughts are with the family, friends, Nashua Police Department & all those impacted by the tragic death of Captain Lehto. Captain Lehto served our community for two decades and we are forever grateful for his service. https://t.co/abQ18gwQWr
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) September 12, 2019
Law enforcement officers experience enormous stress and are exposed to tremendous trauma while protecting the public and it’s vital that we find ways to support our officers on and off the job.
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) September 12, 2019
Captain Lehto was a hero and he will always be remembered by the many Granite Staters he impacted during his 20 years of service, the brave men and women he served beside, and his loving family. I join our New Hampshire community in mourning the loss of one of Nashua’s finest.
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) September 12, 2019
At least 159 law enforcement officers died by suicide in 2018, outnumbering the number of line of duty deaths for the third straight year. According to Blue H.E.L.P, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing mental health stigma in the law enforcement community, 143 officers have died by suicide to date in 2019.
The Nashua police chief wrote that the department was “shocked” and “stunned” to learn the captain, who joined the department in 1999, had taken his own life on Monday while visiting family in Seattle, Washington.
Lehto, who grew up in Nashua and attended Boston University for his undergraduate and law degrees, always knew he wanted to be a police office, according to the chief. After spending several years with the department’s patrol division, he was transferred to the detective bureau, later ending up with the department’s legal bureau for a time.
Considered a colleague by judges, attorneys, and public defenders alike, Carignan wrote that Lehto’s leadership, knowledge, and demeanor set him apart. He was recently promoted to the rank of captain and placed at the helm of the department’s detective bureau.
“Jon’s personnel file is filled with numerous letters received from members of the community as well as local organizations who took the time to express their gratitude for Jon’s professionalism, his compassion, and his work ethic,” the chief wrote.
Lehto left behind an “unblemished” record, he said.
The chief told the Boston Herald that no one picked up on any signs that the 47-year-old was struggling.
“Jon ended his life early and we don’t know why,” Carignan wrote on Facebook. “We are all left with questions which may never be answered.”
The chief told WMUR he hopes the openness about his colleague’s death will save lives and encourage people to ask for help. No one should be stigmatized for reaching out for support, he said, pointing out that first responders often deal stoically with what they witness on the job.
“There’s been that mentality of, ‘Don’t talk about it. Don’t talk about it. You’re fine. Suck it up,'” Carignan told the station.
The department has established a peer support group to help officers grieving their colleague’s death and is “committed” to raising awareness about suicide prevention, the chief said.
“The Nashua Police Department and Jon’s family acknowledge that suicide amongst law enforcement and other first responders is an epidemic,” Carignan said. “Jon’s suicide forced us to face the fact that we are not immune to this reality. We are committed to being vocal in an effort to bring attention to and make others aware of this crisis. Jon spent his career helping people. We are hopeful that by not remaining silent about Jon’s death by suicide, we can honor who he truly was and encourage others to reach out for help.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-TALK (8255)
