Law enforcement community mourns death of Farmington police officer

The law enforcement community is mourning the loss of one of its own after a Farmington police officer died by suicide.

The Farmington Police Department announced the death of 15-year veteran Pete Zajac on Wednesday. He leaves behind a wife and three kids.

Zajac spent the past two years as a school resource officer, according to the department.

“Our entire police department family is in mourning and our hearts go out to his entire family. His presence within our department and our community as a whole will be missed,” Farmington PD posted on social media. “A sincere thank you to our law enforcement partners, and those in the community who have surrounded us in our time of need and those that will support us in the tough times ahead.”

Other local departments and the Invisible Wounds Project, which aims to support veterans and first responders who struggle with PTSD and the traumas of the job, offered messages of support.

“The badge is heavy. It represents sacrifice and courage, but it also carries unseen burdens that can sometimes become too much to bear,” Chaska police wrote. “As we mourn alongside the Farmington Police Department, we’re reminded that mental health is a shared responsibility.”

“To our brothers and sisters in blue, please take care of yourselves and one another. Grief like this can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone,” the Invisible Wounds Project added. “Reach out, talk, and lean on those who understand.”

Here is a list of suicide prevention and mental health resources:

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988

Crisis Text Line – Text MN to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.

Minnesota Department of Human Service’s adult mental health resources

DHS map and list of statewide adult mental health crisis response phone numbers

DHS map and list of statewide children’s mental health crisis response phone numbers

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Minnesota

Veterans Crisis Line at 988, Option 1 or by texting 838255

Minnesota Farm and Rural Mental Health Helpline at 833-600-2670 or by texting “FarmStress” to 898211

If you believe someone is at risk of suicide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests you:

Ask questions about whether the individual is having suicidal thoughts.

Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Seek help from a medical or mental health professional. If it is an emergency situation, take the person to a hospital.

Remove any objects from a person’s home that could be potentially used in a suicide.

Do not leave the person alone, if possible, until help is available.

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