EndNotes

Mon., March 26, 2012

Armed and…ill

Interim Spokane police Chief Scott Stephens mingles with the crowd at Riverfront Park during Mayor David Condon’s swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 30. (Dan Pelle)

Many times when police encounter an armed person, that person is looking for a way to die – and want the cops to kill them. The phenomenon is so common it even has a name: suicide by cop. It happens in about 10-20 per cent of officer-involved shootings.

Police know this phenomenon and work to protect themselves while seeking ways to help the suicidal person.

This weekend Spokane police were able to do exactly that.

(S-R archives photo: Interim Spokane police Chief Scott Stephens)

Posted March 26, 2012, 7:07 a.m.

Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.