A high-ranking member of the Police Department is dead after apparently shooting himself in the head in Forest Hills on Wednesday night, it was reported.
Deputy Chief Steven Silks, 62, the executive officer of Patrol Borough Queens North, was found with a gunshot wound to his head inside a car at the corner of Burns Street and 69th Avenue just before 6:35 p.m. on June 5.
According to the New York Daily News, the 39-year member of the NYPD was found in a car with a gunshot wound to his head. He was transported to Elmhurst Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Citing police sources familiar with the case, it was reported, Silks had visited the NYPD Pension Office on Tuesday to submit his retirement papers.
Assistant Chief Martin Morales, commander of Patrol Borough Queens North, formally announced Silks’ death early Thursday morning on Twitter.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Dep. Chief Steve Silks (XO-PBQN) passed away yesterday after nearly 40 yrs of dedicated service. He was a one-of-a-kind, well-accomplished individual & an amazing storyteller. Steve will be missed by so many throughout the NYPD & NYC,” he wrote.
The investigation is ongoing.
This story was updated on June 6 at 8:55 a.m. Robert Pozarycki contributed to this report.
