Tragic Loss of Chicago Officer Malisa Tores, 34, Found Dead in Police Station After Taking Her Own Life, Spark Calls for Greater Mental Health Support for Law Enforcement
CHICAGO, IL — A sense of sorrow and disbelief hangs heavy over the Chicago Police Department and the community it serves, following the tragic death of Officer Malisa Tores, a 34-year-old Community Policing (CAPS) officer who was found dead in the early morning hours of Tuesday.
Tores, who had dedicated her life to building trust and calming tensions between residents and police, died by suicide in a restroom inside her own district station—off duty, alone, and in silence. The incident occurred at approximately 2:25 a.m., when fellow officers discovered her body. She had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities have confirmed there were no signs of a struggle or foul play.
Known for her bright smile, calm demeanor, and commitment to bridging gaps in some of Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods, Officer Tores had earned a reputation as a dependable and compassionate public servant. To those who worked with her, she was more than just a colleague—she was a friend, a sister, and a light in the department.
“She spent her days calming communities, resolving conflicts, and showing up with empathy,” one fellow officer said, visibly shaken. “None of us saw this coming.”
The tragedy has rippled through the city’s law enforcement ranks. Yellow crime tape surrounded the station as her body was wheeled out into the quiet morning. Officers stood in stunned silence. For a department already under immense pressure, the loss of one of its own in such a harrowing way is yet another emotional blow.
Mayor Brandon Johnson called the incident “unbearable.” In a press statement, he extended his condolences to Officer Tores’ family, friends, and fellow officers. “We must take seriously the emotional and psychological burdens our officers carry, often in silence,” he said. “This is a time for reflection, accountability, and—most importantly—action.”
Although Tores’ exact struggles remain private, many in the department are now speaking more openly about the hidden toll of police work. Officers on the front lines often face trauma, long hours, public scrutiny, and the emotional weight of their duties—all factors that can lead to isolation, depression, and mental health challenges.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling noted that while mental health resources are available for officers, the department must do more to remove the stigma around seeking help. “Malisa’s death is a wake-up call,” he said. “If an officer as strong and compassionate as she was can be suffering in silence, we need to listen better and act faster.”
The city has seen a troubling number of officer suicides in recent years, prompting calls for systemic reform in how mental health care is delivered to law enforcement personnel. Peer support, expanded therapy access, and proactive check-ins are now being emphasized as urgent priorities.
In communities where she served, residents have left flowers and notes of gratitude outside the station. “She treated everyone with dignity, even when it was hard,” one woman said. “She saw the human in us. I just wish someone had seen the pain in her.”
Officer Malisa Tores is remembered not only for the badge she wore but for the heart she gave. She leaves behind grieving family, friends, and a department struggling with both sorrow and the reality of a mental health crisis that continues to claim too many lives.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Help is available, and you are not alone.
Tags: police suicide, Chicago Police Department, Officer Malisa Tores, mental health awareness, law enforcement tragedy