01/01/2026
We miss you Commissioner / Chief / friend.
Tonight we would like to honor the service of Sergeant Edward Rummel of the NYPD. The following was written by Sgt. Rummel's mother:
"Sgt. Edward Rummel was born a civil servant; he was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and joined the local volunteer fire department as an explorer at the age of 13. At 18, Eddie became an EMT and volunteered at the local ambulance corp. He spent over 30 of his 45 years working in leadership positions at both the local VFD and ambulance companies creating and changing many policies. He served on his pass days as a Chief, Commissioner and Captain responding to countless emergencies, staffing events, setting policy and organizing member get togethers. Words to describe Ed include thoughtful, generous, compassionate, sensitive, dedicated with a strong sense of community.
Simultaneously, Eddie took both the FDNY & NYPD tests at 19 and entered the NYPD academy at the age of 20. He worked for 10 years in the 112th precinct as a cop and was promoted to Sergeant at the age of 30. Two years later, he transferred to the Queens South Task Force and spent the rest of his 25 years in a specialized auto larceny unit. Eddie worked midnights for his whole career, which may have added to his stress and building isolation.
Unfortunately, politics and post- traumatic stress caught up with Eddie. As a responder on 9/11 along with being detailed to lower Manhattan in the weeks following the attacks, Ed also developed physical illnesses in the ensuing years that became chronic and altered his daily life. He did not want to be a burden to his family and friends. The last two years of his career, he knew he needed help but was so afraid of the perceived stigma attached to seeking mental health assistance that he tried to tough it out. After feeling dismayed, he chose to retire from the NYPD. This was a decision he would regret, as he felt he left for the wrong reasons and “not on his own terms”. Eddie was a tireless advocate for his fellow officers, volunteers, family & friends. He literally gave all there was of himself 24/7 and in the end, it was ironic that he could not get the help in his time of need.
Eddie felt hopeless now that he was no longer a cop and his battle ended on January 1, 2016, just two weeks shy of his 46th birthday. My family knows that given the right support, Ed could’ve continued living as a son, brother, uncle, nephew, friend and civil servant. We would like all responders to know that it is rarely one event, but more of a combination of factors, developing over time, that lead people to feel isolation, despair and hopelessness leading to the taking of one’s life. Public service departments need to make the mental health of their members a priority. Providing education, training, awareness and confidential services are a must to help erase the stigma and aid in the fight against the increasing rate of su***de. My family simply wants to help other civil servants who give their all to help others but don’t feel that they can get the help they need in return."
Thank you, Sgt. Rummel for you service and dedication. Special thanks to his family for sharing his story.
