Police: Officer in Taser Death Kills Himself

BROOKLYN, NY [ABC] — The NYPD lieutenant who authorized the fatal use of a taser stun gun on a naked Brooklyn psychiatric patient committed suicide at Floyd Bennett Field this morning.

Lt. Michael Pigot reported to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, where he took his life shortly after 6 a.m.

Another police officer reportedly sustained a non-life threatening injury during the incident.

Authorities say the 45-year-old Pigot directed a fellow Emergency Services Unit officer to use his Taser on 35-year-old Iman Morales as he teetered on a Brooklyn building’s ledge.

The 50,000-volt shock caused Morales, a troubled psychiatric patient, to topple 10 feet headfirst onto the sidewalk, killing him.

Pigot, a 21-year veteran who lives in Suffolk County, told a reporter earlier this week that he was “truly sorry for what happened.”

Pigot was one of two officers disciplined by NYPD commanders for violating Taser-use guidelines.

Pigot’s gun and badge were taken away and he was placed on modified duty.

Police say Tte officer who used the Taser, Nicholas Marchesona, was placed on desk duty.

The Brooklyn district attorney’s office and the NYPD are investigating.

Floyd Bennett Field is the base for the 400 officers in the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit. All ESU officers are undergoing retraining there this week to reinforce the proper use of Tasers when dealing with the mentally ill.

Funeral services will be held for Morales later today at Our Lady of Pompeii in Greenwich Village.