Chicago Police Deputy Chief Dion Boyd found dead following apparent suicide

Chicago Police Deputy Chief Dion Boyd died in his apartment at the age of 57. He was the father of two sons. His body was discovered by his co-workers on Tuesday morning.

"I am extremely saddened to share with you today the loss of a respected member of our command staff to suicide. We are shocked, saddened at the loss, and it's deeply felt by me and the many colleagues and friends with whom Deputy Chief Dion Boyd worked and mentored throughout his career," said Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown in a statement.

"Dion left people he loved here, and colleagues who loved him as well. Please, officers, please, stay humble, stay human, stay safe, stay well."

"There's really no way to convey or express the magnitude of this loss," Brown continued "We are shocked and saddened at the loss that is deeply felt by me and the many colleagues and friends with whom Deputy Chief Boyd worked and mentored throughout his career."

Brown added that officers should "always remember to take care of ourselves and each other."

"There is no shame in reaching out for help."

Boyd was promoted on July 15 to deputy chief of the criminal networks group of the Chicago Police Department.

"Deputy Chief Boyd called the Chicago Police Department his home for more than 30 years, proudly serving the South Side as Commander of Area 1 and the 2nd District, along with numerous other roles," wrote Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in a tweet.

"This devastating loss will not only be felt at every level of this Department, but in the countless communities and homes Deputy Chief Boyd touched during his decades-long service to our city."

A US Justice Department report in 2017 revealed that the suicide rate among Chicago’s officers was a minimum of 60 percent higher in comparison to an average of 18.1 police officers per 100,000 throughout the US.

Recommendations from the report included improved mental health services for officers, especially those in the Chicago area.