PTSD on Trail: Ex-New York City Pollice Officer

Father says PTSD caused him to enter school with gun
By Steve Lieberman • slieberm@lohud.com • September 1, 2009

Peter Cocker today informed the court that he will offer a psychiatric defense to charges he rushed into South Orangetown Middle School armed and held the superintendent at gunpoint before being disarmed.

The Tappan father suffers from post traumatic stress disorder from years as a New York City police officer, his lawyer, Gerard Damiani, said after a court appearance at the Rockland County Courthouse in New City.

Cocker became agitated June 9 after his son collapsed on the baseball field and he felt his boy had swine flu symptoms , Damiani said.

He also had been drinking alcohol heavily, a form of self-medication resulting from post traumatic stress, Damiani said.

Cocker became angry at Schools Superintendent Kenneth Mitchell for sending out a Rockland Health Department form letter on swine flu precautions, authorities said. Cocker wanted the letter changed and the schools closed. The boy attends the middle school.
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