Battalion chief posts about PTSD shortly before suicide
I was brought up in the news business at a time when you rarely covered suicide. When you did do a story, it usually was in a situation where there was also someone murdered or the person committing suicide was a very well known public figure. So, it is with some caution that I post this story from Indian River County, Florida that is making news.
Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief David Dangerfield killed himself Saturday. The most compelling reason for sharing this is his Facebook message, below, posted shortly before his suicide.
A veteran Indian River County Fire Rescue firefighter committed suicide Saturday night shortly after writing a Facebook post, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies found Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief David Dangerfield from a self-inflicted gunshot wound a short distance away in a wooded area off State Road 60 west of Interstate 95. They were responding to a call about the incident at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Eric Flowers.
Flowers said Dangerfield drove his pickup on State Road 60 near I-95 and made a call to 911 to tell dispatchers where deputies could find his body.
In 2013, the Treasure Coast Fire Chiefs’ Association named Dangerfield as Emergency Service Provider of the Year.
Besides being a battalion chief, Dangerfield also served as a field training officer for the dive rescue team and a fire instructor at Indian River State College’s Fire Academy.
Dangerfield was active in the Big Heart Brigade of Indian River County, which provides Thanksgiving Day meals for those in need. He also founded the annual Firefighters Chili and Salsa Cook-off, a charity fundraiser.
King announced flags at all county fire station would be flown at half-staff in honor of Dangerfield.
