Elm Grove Sergeant Dies By Suicide At Department
Elm Grove Sergeant Dies by Suicide at Department
ELM GROVE, Wisc. — The Elm Grove Police Department mourned the loss of Sgt. Joseph Ipavec, a 19-year veteran of the agency, who died by suicide at the department in the early morning hours of Monday, Nov. 25. The department shared a heartfelt message on social media Tuesday following the tragic event.
Police identified Sgt. Ipavec as “a leader in our department and in our community.” He served as a field training officer, mentoring new officers, and was a certified firearms instructor. Sgt. Ipavec also represented the department as the Citizen Police Academy’s liaison, according to WTMJ. He was a state-licensed EMT and a 2014 graduate of Northwestern University’s Police Staff and Command.
According to Fox 6 Now, the department stated, “He was an officer of exceptional performance and was most notably commended for his actions that, without question, saved many lives during the Villager Apartments fire in October of 2000. We are heartbroken at the loss of our dedicated co-worker and friend. His family and two young children are in our thoughts and prayers.”
The Elm Grove police thanked members of the community for their support amid this tragic loss — along with officers from fellow communities “that responded at a moment’s notice to assist our officers during this critical incident and to help us, over the long term, pursue a path of wellbeing.”
The loss of Sgt. Ipavec underscores the importance of mental health awareness and support within law enforcement. The pressures and stresses faced by officers can be immense, and access to resources and open communication are crucial for preventing such tragedies. The Elm Grove Police Department’s commitment to pursuing a path of wellbeing for its officers is a positive step in addressing these challenges. When tragedy strikes, the support of the community and fellow officers is invaluable.
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