State Trooper’s Suicide Has Lasting Impact

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Posted: 10:41 PM Jul 18, 2008
Last Updated: 11:25 AM Jul 19, 2008
Reporter: Will Jones
Email Address: will.jones@wsaz.com

9 comments

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Friday marked not only the one-year anniversary of the suicide of West Virginia State Trooper Marlo Gonzales, but an ongoing discussion about preventing future suicides.

Gonzales' death focused attention toward a topic that often comes with a stigma -- mental health issues. It even prompted Gov. Joe Manchin to form a committee to examine whether or not suicides are a problem within the state's police agency.

Committee members found the current system was adequate, but they said there was room for improvement. It started with changing the culture of the agency.

Being a state trooper is filled with stress and danger, with very little time to relax. Officers also tend to keep their feelings to themselves. Corporal Gonzales' suicide helped bring this problem to the forefront.

One year later, four out of seven recommendations have been put into action, including training to identify troubled troopers and a review of the agency's health policy.

Another fight is ongoing -- ending the culture of silence when it comes to mental health. Nearly 1,000 comments alone have been posted here at WSAZ.com.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Richard on Jul 21, 2008 at 03:56 AM
I think a lot of this Depression and Suicide stuff comes from years of lording over people and a guilty conscious!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 20, 2008 at 10:35 PM
i knew this trooper personally...never once did he seem to any signs of depression... i also know that when somethng doesnt go right at a headquarter that trooper gets sent some where else....i know at the time this happened what he was accused of never happened...it was merly i wnat you out of here because i dont like you...its not fair these men bust there butts to keep citizens safe and yet higher up's drive to insanity.....so it may not be troopers them selves that need help but the higher up's need it to....

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 20, 2008 at 06:27 PM
To Anonymous Jul 19 at 11:56PM: How can you get on here and judge this trooper!! Have you EVER sufferd from chronic depression? NO, you haven't; because if you had, you would have never posted that stupid comment!!! Everyone knows suicide is not the solution that is in their right state of mined!! DUH!! The point to this is; The Trooper was ill and needed help, the WV State Police failed to help him, but messed with him in the hopes he would quit! Then no more problem to deal with!!You just showed everyone in the state of West Virginia you are as smart as a box of rocks!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 19, 2008 at 11:56 PM
suicide is not the solution. cop or not a cop.

Posted by: tmm on Jul 19, 2008 at 11:10 AM
what a cover up.

Posted by: Retired Deputy Sheriff on Jul 19, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I was forced to take a medical retirement from the agency I worked for. After they ran me out,the sheriff cut ALL my medical benefits;now I have been tied up in a bitter court battle with the county! I have won 2 time now, and the sheriff keeps appealing. You must understand that the departments heads feel it cheaper to hire a new uniform then to give it medical treatment to an old one. What happend to Trooper Gonzales and my self, happens all the time all over the country. From my line of duty injuies and PTSD; the sheriff knows the county will have to take care of me for the rest of my life! That's alot money to shell out to a non active employee! I have know doubt that the WV State Police mistreated Trooper Gonzales by the actions they took on him; in hopes he would quit the state police so the problems would go away!! Now the WV State Police put a spokesmen on TV telling "We are on top of the problem" so to speak! This is all well and good;but,who is going to say WE SCREWED UP!!!!

Posted by: Pablo on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Perhaps not letting incoming governors make all the radical changes that usually go on would be a start to solving the problems with the WVSP. It seem political appointments (or paybacks) rule and not those qualified in securing positons.

Posted by: Cindy on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Mental health stigma is not only with the troopers it is with everyone.. and everyone has a form of mental illness.. everyone needs to open their minds and start realizing they are not perfect...help is available.. just ask and you do not have to ask your work go to a mental health agency they are confidential...

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The Yell: Comments for the Week of 11/30

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Posted By: Ari: I feel SOOO bad for that poor bear that those people are keeping as a "pet" a bear is not a pet, these are the people I dont feel sorry for when they get mauled and there hand bitten off
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Posted By: Christian not offended: Thank you g, I'm glad there is someone else who understands the HOLIDAY meaning to HAPPY HOLIDAYS. If that offends some of you, then maybe you should leave town. This is a FREE country, not a communist one. HAPPY >>>insert holiday here<<< There is that less offending to you?
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Posted By: IdiotsUAre: The United States of America was founded under God! The creator of this earth, the father of our Savior Jesus Christ. He is why we even have Christmas. So say Christmas an not holidays! If you want to say holidays then go to another county or even California it might as be its own.
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Posted By: BibleThumpers: It's actually a pagan festival for the Winter Solstice. The Christians adopted it as Christ's birthday later on and even adopted many of the pagan items, such as putting up a tree and having a great feast.
Posted By: g: it is the stupidest thing I have ever heard, to be offended by the word "Holiday", this all comes from you bible thumpers that all want to tell other people how to think and what to say. You offend me! This is the Holidays! Even 50 years ago before all this ridiculous crap started, cards said Happy Holidays, because it covered Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, it is the Holiday Season! So Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays Y'all!
Posted By: to Lady A:: The "holiday" season also encompasses Hanukkah, a major holiday for those of us who follow the Jewish faith. We also give gifts and do "holiday" shopping this season; thankfully WSAZ is less ignorant than you are and recognizes that their viewership reflects more than one faith.
Posted By: to Lady A: FYI, Hanukah is also coming up and we of the jewish faith also exchange gifts during this HOLIDAY season. I, for one, am thankful that WSAZ considers all of their viewers. Your comment was incredibly ignorant.
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Posted By: Christian not offended: Ok there Lady A, just slow down a minute. Huntingtonian made a good point. Have you ever heard of Hanukah? Some people shop for Hanukah. Jesus was Jewish, so don't tell me that being a Jew is a sin, & Christmas is THE ONLY HOLIDAY this time of year. Yes, I too love to hear MERRY CHRISTMAS, but I refuse to become upset when someone says happy holidays. How do you know if when you say MERRY CHRISTMAS to someone, your not saying it to a Jewish person? Do you ever hear them make a big fat stink about it? NO!!!, you don't. So I think you should just be happy that God has given you another day on this Earth. So that you have the time to celebrate, with your family, whatever holiday you choose. I've decided to say HAPPY MERRY KWANZ~MA~KA that way I've covered them all.
Posted By: Pat: Much like New Coke and the new Marco I think you've made a mistake with the new web pagedesign. I don't use Yahoo because the site is too cluttered and I feel the same about your new page. More is not necessarily better!
Posted By: Ari: It is CHRISTMAS it is the time we celebrate Christ being born, not Kwanzza or Hanukah. Kwanzza is racist anyways it's a celebration of being black. I have no problem with people saying Happy whatever it is but I am NOT going to watch what i say and not say Marry Christmas becasue it might offend people
Posted By: LadyA`: The question was, Did you do any Holiday shopping over the weekend? The shopping they were referring was Christmas shopping. What other holiday shopping would we be doing? Thanksgiving was over. It offended me like many others. It is the Christmas season and I want to see the word Christmas used, not holiday or xmas.
Posted By: Huntingtonian: I agree with Anonymous!! It is the "holiday season" and by definition, it encompasses all of the holidays that are coming, not just Christmas. I also am a christian and see something inherintly wrong with pigeon holing this time of year to simply "Merry Christmas." What I find really offensive is those of you who believe that it is ok to say "Christmas" but would be outraged if "Happy Kwanza" or "Happy Hanukah" appeared anywhere. So, that being said: HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a JOYOUS NEW YEAR to all!!
Posted By: : Holiday is in referance to ALL holidays this time of year. I have been saying Happy Holidays since I was a kid, growing up during the 80's. Christmas is not the only holiday this time of year. We did just celebrate Thanksgiving, remember. I am a Christian, that is not offended by the phrase HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
Posted By: ann: I agree with ladyA its CHRISTMAS
Posted By: LadyA: WSAZ- Could you please change the word Holiday to Christmas on your question? The word Holiday offends me.
Posted By: mad: To the doofus deer hunter who knocked my mailbox over on gritt rd if you cant drive any better than that you shouldnt have a GUN and thanks for letting us know you smashed the mailbox. MERRY CHRISTMAS DOOFUS

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