CNN: Mayor: Police, firefighters traumatized

[New Orleans mayor Ray] Nagin said Sunday that his top priority was to start moving traumatized police and firefighters out of the city so that they can get medical and psychological treatment.

"They've been holding the city together for three or four days, almost by themselves -- doing everything imaginable, and the toll is just to much for them," Nagin said. "So I need to get them out, and we've been trying to figure out where to take them so they can reunite with their families."

Police Superintendent Eddie Compass said that two of his officers committed suicide, including one who had discovered his wife had died.

My god, how awful.

More from NOLA:

In addition to civilian deaths, New Orleans' police department has had to deal with suicides in its ranks. Two officers took their lives, including the department spokesman, Paul Accardo, who died Saturday, according to Riley. Both shot themselves in the head, he said.

Posted by Laura at September 4, 2005 04:28 PM