Suicide over Iraq

Reservist Due for Iraq Is Killed in Standoff With Police

By Megan Greenwell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 27, 2006; Page B02

Army Reservist James E. Dean had already served 18 months in Afghanistan when he was notified three weeks ago that he would be deployed to Iraq later this month. The prospect of returning to war sent the St. Mary's County resident into a spiral of depression, a neighbor said.

Despondent about his orders, Dean barricaded himself inside his father's home with several weapons on Christmas, threatening to kill himself. After a 14-hour standoff with authorities, Dean was killed yesterday by a police officer after he aimed a gun at another officer, police said.

Wanda Matthews, who lives next door to Dean's father and said she thought of the younger man as a son, described him as a "very good boy."

"His dad told me that he didn't want to go to war," Matthews said. "He had already been out there and didn't want to go again."

Dean, 29, was shot once after a confrontation with officers that began when a member of Dean's family asked police to check on him about 10 p.m. Monday, police said. Dean stated his intention to kill himself several times late that night and yesterday morning and had fired at officers multiple times, St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron said. A handful of bullets hit police cars, but no officers were injured.

Say ONE fucking word to me about how we need to leave the Bush girls alone, I will smash your teeth down your fucking throat. I don't want to hear it any more. Bush should be asked every day, so should Tony Snow, that if this war is so important, why is not one member of the Bush family bearing ANY burden. In fact, the State Department has to cover for them.

A reservist on a second tour. A reservist.

Some people don't get to spend Thanksgiving in Argentina. They get to spend it in fear of going back to combat and then commit suicide by cop.