Ohio Cop Suspended After Happy Facebook Comment Over Black Man’s Suicide

Detective Lee Cyr, Fairborn Police

Fairborn, Ohio cop Lee Cyr will be placed on paid administrative leave for a Facebook comment he posted on a story about a Black Lives Matter activist who committed suicide, in which he showed was glad that the man killed himself.

The comment, “Love a happy ending,” was posted on the Ohio Politics Facebook page two days after MarShawn McCarrel killed himself on the front steps of the Ohio Statehouse on Monday.

Cyr, who also served as a West Carrollton Schools Board of Education member for about four years before moving out of the district in 2013, was off duty when the comment was posted, according to police. However, if the investigation determines Cyr is responsible for the post, he will have violated the police department’s social media policy.

“When we were made aware of a Facebook post that was linked to a Fairborn police officer, an internal affairs complaint was initiated,” said Fairborn Police Chief Terry Barlow.

The comment has been removed from the Facebook page. It was one of several on the Facebook post about McCarrel’s death that applauded the 23-year-activist’s suicide. The comments included remarks such as, “One less to worry about,” “One down, many more to go,” and “Good one down.”

Fairborn officers are not allowed to post to social media while on duty.

According to a press release issued today, the Fairborn Police Department was made aware of a social media post that was linked to Cyr.

“An internal affairs complaint was initiated and the department will be investigating further into the origin of the media post,” the release said. “The department takes these types of issues very seriously and will ensure that the professional standards of the department are upheld.”

The department said it will not comment any further, due to the ongoing investigation.

In 2014, Cyr made $75,611 in gross pay as an officer for the city of Fairborn.