Ex-cop thanks sheriff's negotiator for saving his life

Man who threatened suicide thanks Hillsborough sheriff's negotiator for saving his life

By Jessica Vander Velde, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Thursday, August 11, 2011

TAMPA — The ex-cop sat in his Ford pickup, gun in hand, and called the Sheriff's Office.

He wanted authorities to know where to find his body.

It was May 13, 2010, and John Schoener was depressed. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and was overwhelmed with medical bills and problems with Social Security.

But the woman who picked up the phone wasn't going to make it easy. Within minutes, she had trained crisis negotiator Cpl. Michele Vetterick on the line.

For the next four hours, Vetterick talked to Schoener.

On Wednesday, he thanked her for that day. And for everything that's happened since.

Schoener says he never planned to kill himself.

But a myriad of forces built up until, parked under the Winthrop pole barn in Riverview, oxycodone in his system and a .357-caliber automatic pistol next to him, he realized he wasn't going home.

He wouldn't tell Vetterick where he was or what his vehicle looked like. He didn't want help.

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