Holly MatkinDouglas, WY – Douglas Police Department (DPD) Officer Michael “Mike” Ableman took his own life on Dec. 26, according to his department.
The DPD confirmed the 42-year-old officer’s tragic death in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“On December 26, 2021, Officer Michael Ableman, a selfless community servant, father, son, brother and friend, was found deceased,” the department said. “In partnership with Officer Ableman’s family, we are deeply saddened to share that Officer Ableman took his own life.”
Officer Ableman, a Colorado native, served in the U.S. Navy prior to joining the Casper Police Department (CPD) in 2005, according to his obituary.
Nine years later, he joined the DPD, where he spent the next seven years of his life serving the Douglas community.
Officer Ableman had also earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice and a master of business administration from Norwich University, and was halfway through the completion of a master’s degree in counseling at Liberty University at the time of his death, according to his obituary.
“Officer Ableman loved his community and his role in protecting it,” the DPD said. “Officer Ableman took great pride in his work and wore the uniform with honor…The Douglas Police Department mourns the loss of our brother. He will be truly missed.”
Officer Ableman was the proud father of an eight-year-old little girl, according to his department.
“Mike has always been a family man, but the epitome of his happiness came to fruition when his daughter, Claira Alta Ableman, was born,” his obituary read. “Michael was an amazing, doting father. Claira and Michael were always up to some kind of shenanigans…”
Officer Ableman also leaves behind his mother, siblings, nephews, nieces, cousins, and many friends and extended family members.
He will be laid to rest Jan. 3.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Douglas Police Department Officer Michael “Mike” Ableman, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
