Oregon Family Blames City for Firefighter’s Suicide

The family of a firefighter who committed suicide after being asked to resign has sued the city of Salem and alleged the city should have been more responsive to his mental health issues.

The Salem Statesman Journal reports the representatives of former firefighter Craig Warren’s estate are seeking $4.15 million in damages.

The city has not yet responded to the suit. Warren committed suicide on July 31, 2009, the effective date of his resignation.

The lawsuit alleges that Warren changed psychiatrists in early 2009, and the switch led to a mix-up in his medication doses. While under-medicated, Warren was investigated for making inappropriate comments to other firefighters.

His family blames the comments on the medication mistakes and says the city was at fault for not offering Warren “reasonable care.”