Hero Down: Bridgeport PD Sgt. Mark Belinkie Found Dead Of Apparent Suicide

Milford, CT – Bridgeport Police Department (BPD) Sergeant Mark Belinkie died of a suspected suicide at his Milford home on Saturday.

Local police notified BPD of the 46-year-old sergeant’s death at approximately 8p.m., Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez told the Connecticut Post.

Milford police are continuing to investigate the suspected suicide.

“We don’t know the circumstances. We don’t know what happened,” Chief Perez said. “It can’t get any worse.”

“I share my deepest condolences with Sergeant Belinkie’s family and with the fellow brothers and sisters of our department,” the chief said in a statement to the Connecticut Post. “We lost a member of our family and everyone is hurting. If any one of our officers is suffering and needs to talk, they are encouraged to speak with our peer counselors who are available.”

Sgt. Belinkie was a 19-year veteran of BPD, having joined the force in 2000.

He served as a detective with the agency, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2011.

Sgt. Belinkie was assigned to the patrol division at the time of his death.

“We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Sergeant Mark Belinkie,” Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said in a statement, according to the Connecticut Post. “As we grieve, we will continue to have his family, friends and his colleagues of the Bridgeport Police Department in our thoughts and prayers.”

Sgt. Belinkie leaves behind his wife, Gina, as well as his daughters, Ellie and Molly, and his stepchildren, Michael, Erin, and Alissa, according to his obituary.

He is also survived by his brothers, in-laws, nieces, nephew, and many friends and extended family members.

“[Sgt. Belinkie] was a very giving man and was the kindest of friends, always smiling and laughing,” his obituary read.

“He was the perfect husband and loved his family very much. His greatest enjoyment was the time he spent with his wife, daughters and step children,” according to his obituary. “He was a beautiful man with a beautiful soul who will be missed beyond measure.”

Sgt. Belinkie will be laid to rest in a private ceremony.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Bridgeport Police Department Sergeant Mark Belinkie, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.