Joseph William Holsopple passed away on September 27, 2020, at a hospital in his birthplace of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, at the age of 48. His death was attributed to alcoholism, and he had been divorced. Holsopple completed his high school education in Akron, Ohio, in 1990 and joined the Springfield Township Police Department in 2000. Throughout his life, he was married, became a father of two, and owned a home; however, his personal and professional life began to deteriorate. In January 2018, he was dismissed from the police department after arriving at work intoxicated and failing a breathalyzer test.
Confidential records, disciplinary documents, and correspondence from colleagues reflected significant concern regarding Holsopple’s drinking habits, with indications that he may have been grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linked to a traumatic incident in 2015. This incident involved moments of using physical force and a Taser on a 24-year-old man, during which Holsopple utilized a forearm strike to the back of the man’s neck while forcing him face down to the ground.
Such issues began to impact Holsopple’s decision-making abilities, prompting concerns about his reliability while on duty. A fellow officer noted in a confidential memo that Holsopple had expressed reluctance to assist during a struggle with another suspect, mentioning that it elicited traumatic memories from the past Taser incident that involved a fatality.
The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, part of a larger investigation, acquired personnel files of officers implicated in fatalities resulting from the use of force or non-lethal weapons. These records, including Holsopple’s, underline the mentally taxing realities of law enforcement. According to experts, officers often face traumatic events that may leave them at risk of mental health disorders, including depression and PTSD; a common post-incident concern is that officers suppress trauma, which could subsequently impair their performance and judgment in the field.
Despite ongoing discussions regarding policing, the issues of stigma around mental health and the necessary support for officers tend to be overlooked. John Violanti, an experienced former law enforcement officer and an expert on police health, highlighted that officers frequently refrain from admitting mental health struggles due to societal stigma, which is amplified within police culture.
Inquiries made to Holsopple’s former colleagues and his ex-wife were largely met with silence following initial brief exchanges. The Springfield Township Police Department was questioned about its response to the issues noted in Holsopple’s records, and an attorney for the municipality outlined that officers are referred to local support services designed to cater to law enforcement’s unique challenges.
Springfield is a small township with around 14,500 residents, situated about 50 miles south of Cleveland in urban Summit County. Within his four years as a police officer, Holsopple progressed to the position of detective, where he focused on child sex abuse investigations. His superiors applauded his casework and court performance; however, an evaluation in February 2015 suggested he take a break due to the continuous stress associated with his role.
In September 2015, Holsopple was involved in a controversial incident concerning a 911 call for Jordn Miller, a 24-year-old man with a known history of mental illness. Despite police being informed that Miller was unarmed and not posing a threat, they forcibly removed him from a vehicle and struggled to restrain him, using a Taser multiple times along with physical force. Following this encounter, Miller’s condition deteriorated, ultimately leading to his death two days later. Initial reviews by police leadership and the Summit County prosecutor maintained that the actions taken by officers were justified.
Following the death of Jordn Miller, Holsopple’s personnel file reflected increasing signs of distress, including frequent tardiness and a noticeable decline in job performance. Several officers documented their concerns, suggesting that Holsopple could be experiencing PTSD stemming from the incident.
Andrea Ziarko, an attorney for Springfield Township, noted that officers receive guidance to access the Safety Forces Support Center, which aims to address the mental health challenges specific to law enforcement personnel.
The challenges surrounding police mental health have not garnered the attention they deserve amid discussions of police brutality. Research highlights the critical mental health issues facing officers, revealing that a significant number could be dealing with hazardous drinking, PTSD, and other mental health disorders. Cop2Cop, a crisis hotline for law enforcement, emphasizes the importance of confidentiality in encouraging officers to seek help.
As departments continue to seek and implement strategies to identify officers in need of mental health support, the ingrained culture of self-reliance and the stigma surrounding mental health remains a significant barrier to effective change. Criminology expert Bill Terrill acknowledged that there is a historical mindset among police that discourages reaching out for help, perpetuating a cycle that can prevent officers from addressing their mental health needs.
