Craig calls for support for mental illness after Officer Doss' death

DETROIT (WJBK) - On Monday, the Detroit Police Department gathered to honor an officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty. Police Chief James Craig said he's tired of talking about officer's deaths - and says something needs to be done about mental illness.

Officer Glenn Doss was shot twice while responding to a domestic violence call last week. He died on Sunday at Detroit Receiving Hospital.

On Monday, a scout car was covered with flowers outside the 7th Precinct that was adorned with black balloons, all in memory of the young officer who served his city as a dedicated police officer and served his family as a dutiful son, fiance, and father.

Robert Maxwell said he felt obligated to come out in support of the officer.

"It touched my heart and it still is touching my heart right now. He was a good man. He didn't deserve this and i pray for him and his family," Maxwell said.

He and several others attended a vigil on Monday for Doss in support of and in solidarity with the men and women of the Detroit Police Department.

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Detroit Police Chief James Craig called Doss an American hero and one fo Detroit's finest. He said that Doss' death is the latest in an epidemic.

"It's absolutely a crisis," Craig said. "But I don't hear any cry for treatment for those suffering from mental illness."

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Craig referenced shooting after shooting perpetrated by someone who is mentally ill. 

DeCharlos Brooks is the man accused of killing Officer Doss. His family says he's mentally ill and was off his medication. Craig is demanding more and better treatment for those with mental illness.

"What will it take - another officer dead? What will it take - a mass shooting? I gotta tell you, I'm sick and tired of talking about it," he said. "This is about public safety. This is a crisis and we need to treat it as such."

Craig said he would continue to speak about the issue. hopes for politicians to fix the issue.

In the past 16 months alone, more than nine officers have been shot or injured in the line of duty. That number has some calling for action. 

"There has never been a time it has been more dangerous to be a Detroit police officer than the last year and a half," Mayor Mike Duggan said. "There have been more shootings of officers than I can ever remember."

If you'd like to make a donation to the Doss family, you can do so via their GoFundMe account here.