A Cook County corrections officer has taken his own life in a forest preserve in the Forest Glen neighborhood.
Graham Hyland, 40, died of a gunshot wound to the mouth, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy Saturday determined Hyland’s death was a suicide.
Hyland was found at approximately 9:45 p.m. Friday in the 5900 block of North Central Avenue, at the Ted Lechowicz Woods.
Hyland was pronounced dead at 10:12 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s office.
Hyland worked at the sheriff’s office since February 2012, according to sheriff’s office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari. His most recent assignment was the records department.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Officer Hyland’s family, friends and colleagues,” Ansari said in a statement.
This was the latest suicide of a law enforcement officer in the Chicago area and it occurred during a critical time for the issue of mental health among officers.
At least seven Chicago police officers have committed suicide in the last year. And the New York Police Department just experienced four suicides in three weeks, spurring the department to seek “psychological autopsies” to analyze the officers’ actions.
The husband of Kimberly Hyland, nee Curran; devoted and loving father of his four beautiful daughters Sierra Kayley, Alanna Jule, Kasey Olivia and Brenna Grace. Beloved son of L. Patrick and Susan nee Blake; loyal brother to Cole Michael and Ryan Louis; and joyful uncle to Ellen and Terese Hyland.
Graham was a tireless worker, who took pride with each and every occupation he had. He was a deputy sheriff for Cook County for more than six years, a corrections officer for the State of Illinois, and a proud, longtime member of the Carpenter Union of Illinois.
Chicago Tribune Officials: Sheriff’s officer shoots himself to death on Northwest Side