Hero Down: New York Police Department Officer Steven Hernandez Jumps To Death After Meeting With Department Psychiatrist

Queens, NY – New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Steven Rocky Hernandez died on Jan. 10 after he jumped from the top of an apartment building, according to investigators.

Police officials said the 30-year-old officer jumped to his death from the roof of the LeFrak City Apartments in Elmhurst just before 12:30 p.m., the New York Post reported.

The NYPD’s Medical Division in housed in the same building, according to the New York Post.

Officer Hernandez had just left an appointment with a department psychiatrist before he leapt to his death, police sources told the news outlet.

Sources also told the New York Post the five-year NYPD veteran was on restricted duty and that this duty weapon had been taken from him, but it was unclear when or why those actions were taken.

“We are saddened and mourn the loss of our member — an over five-year veteran of the department,” NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said after the young officer’s death, according to the Staten Island Advance. “Any loss that comes from our NYPD family deeply impacts all of us in the department. Our prayers and condolences are with his family and loved ones during this time.”

Officer Hernandez transferred to the 121st Precinct in Staten Island in September of last year.

“He was a beautiful soul, inside and out,” one of his fellow officers told the Staten Island Advance. “He was an amazing person to everybody.”

Officer Hernandez went out of his way to help others through small acts of kindness whenever he could, such as offering people support or buying them meals, the officer noted.

“He would give the shirt off his back to anybody,” he said.

Officer Hernandez leaves behind two young children, the Staten Island Advance reported.

He was laid to rest on Jan. 17, according to his obituary.

Active Police Officer Steven Hernandez from the @NYPD121Pct passed away on 1/10/23.

Today Police Officer Hernandez was carried to his final resting place at Fairview Cemetery.
May he rest in eternal peace. #NeverForget @NYPDnews pic.twitter.com/RPBIZuSduW

— NYPD Ceremonial Unit (@NYPDCeremonial) January 17, 2023

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of New York Police Department Officer Steven Rocky Hernandez, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

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