Veteran dies in fall at Lovell Center

Veteran dies in fall at Lovell Center
By Frank Abderholden
November 18, 2011 9:14PM

Updated: November 19, 2011 2:13AM

NORTH CHICAGO — Suicide among veterans has become an increasing concern for the Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs facilities are responding.

In Lake County, Thomas Farley, 57, a homeless veteran, apparently committed suicide Oct. 5 just after 7:30 p.m. at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center when he went off a three-story atrium bannister and died from the fall.

While it is still under investigation by Veterans Affairs Police, Lake County Coroner Artis Yancey stated that the preliminary investigation points to a suicide and the final determination is due in a few weeks.

Jonathan Friedman, public affairs officer at the Lovell Center, said Farley was a patient in the homeless program that works to transition veterans back into housing. He climbed to the stop of the atrium and was standing on the opposite side of the railing when some employees there noticed him and rushed to grab him.

“They ran and grabbed him and tried to pull him up. He either slipped or jumped. The best we can do is remind people that we have resources here,” he said.

According to the Army Times, there are 18 suicides a day and about five by veterans who are receiving VA care. There are an average of 950 suicide attempts each month nationwide.
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