Holly MatkinBradford, MA – Rowley Police Department (RPD) Officer Stephen Levesque died by suicide on June 28, according to his department.
The 26-year-old officer passed away at his home, according to his obituary.
“It is with great sadness and heartache that I make you aware of the passing of Officer Stephen M. Levesque,” RPD Chief Scott Dumas said in a statement on June 29. “Stephen sadly took his own life early in the morning of June 28, 2021.”
Chief Dumas said he released the young officer’s cause of death with the blessing of his family.
“It is with the blessing of Stephen’s family that we don’t continue to suppress these conversations that need to happen, but rather speak openly,” the chief wrote. “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Far too many people wrestle with demons which have led to suicide and that number is even greater to those who serve in law enforcement.”
“Many suffer in plain sight, as Stephen did, leaving us all to live with the questions, ‘What did I miss?’ ‘What could I have done?’” Chief Dumas said.
He noted that advancements have been made with regards to addressing officers’ mental health struggles, but that far more needs to be done to support them.
“We need to continue to bring those who suffer with mental illness out of the shadows, remove the stigma that is attached, and assist those towards a healthy, more fulfilled life,” Chief Dumas said. “Stephen’s death is tragic. Let it not be in vain.”
Officer Levesque joined RPD as a reserve officer in February of 2017.
He began serving as a full-time officer in October of 2019.
“He will be dearly missed by the many that loved him,” Chief Dumas said.
Officer Levesque leaves behind his mother, Kathleen, and his longtime girlfriend, Erin, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his aunts, uncle, cousins, and many friends and close colleagues.
Officer Levesque was laid to rest on Wednesday.
Our hearts are heavy with the news of Officer Stephen Levesque’s death. We keep the family of @Rowley_PD ‘s Officer Stephen Levesque and the Department in our thoughts and prayers. 💔#100clubmass pic.twitter.com/M74cuE8aFF
— The Hundred Club of Mass. (@100clubmass) July 1, 2021
Rowley’s police chief has announced one of the department’s youngest policemen has passed away
Officer Stephen Levesque took his own life early Monday morning. He was just 26. #RIP 💙🙏🏻
(1/5) pic.twitter.com/0wWYTMh6tM
— Mike Saccone (@mikesacconetv) June 30, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Rowley Police Department Officer Stephen Levesque, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
