He was a devoted father, a loving son, and a dedicated policeman but yesterday police constable Lennox Rubio killed himself. And though we don't normally report suicides, Constable Rubio's death is news because of where he chose to end his life. The ten-year veteran, who was attached to the police's traffic department - killed himself inside the bathroom at the Raccoon Street Police Station. Here's the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
On Sunday afternoon - the body of police constable number 252 Lennox Rubio was carted transported from out of the Raccoon Street Police Station on a stretcher covered in with a sheet with only his feet showing. A few hours earlier - PC Rubio - who was off duty - entered the station house and walked to the back of the building. The officer assigned to the front desk later heard a loud bang but thought it was a door slam. It was another hour before Lennox was found dead. He had a single gunshot found to his head. But why did it take so long for them to find the body? Press officer G. Michael Reid commented on that yesterday.
G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer
"The person at the front desk was the only one in the building and she heard the bang and did not sound to like a firearm, she felt maybe it was a door that slammed."
And besides the receptionist - the last person to see Lennox Rubio alive is his cousin and colleague Rodney Castillo. Rodney says he spoke to Lennox 15 minutes before the suicide.
Rodney Castillo, Deceased's Cousin
"12:30 or quarter to a quarter to one I saw him. He came to drop something home and he says he is working on his vehicle. I told him I didn't see him on Saturday and he said he was down here. After that the man just rode off on his bike and went. He said he was working on his vehicle and so I asked him if he waned to eat and he said no. He said when he comes back because I told I had just finished cooking and I had some bake chicken to eat. He said when he comes back he would eat and then I got the message from Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Chester Williams that he had killed himself."
The sudden suicide is simply unbelievable to Lennox's mom Mary Castillo.
Mary Castillo, Mother of Deceased
"I called him Saturday evening and told him that his aunt was coming from Chicago and to pick her up at the airport. She said he would look out for the call. That is the latest I heard from him, Saturday night about 6:30."
Both Ruby Castillo and Rodney Castillo can't think of any reason why Lennox - a decorated and dedicated constable - a constable who proudly decorated the wall of his living room with his plaques and certificate would up and just kill himself.
Ruby Castillo,
"The news came shocking to me yesterday that he killed himself. I don't know, I don't know. I can't say much, he didn't tell me anything so I don't know what led him to do this."
Keith Swift,
Did he seemed worried or that something was bothering him?
Rodney Castillo,
"He looked normal, like nothing. He just said he was working on his car. He didn't look frustrated or anything."
A post mortem was conducted this afternoon. A funeral service will be held on Saturday in Hopkins Village.
