Gary Eugene Duck, a retired battalion chief of the Lodi Fire Department, was found dead on September 6, 2014, in Roget Park, Lodi, California. Duck, who was 70 years old at the time of his death, was discovered by a passerby around 9:30 AM. The initial investigation revealed that Duck had died from a gunshot wound. His wife had reported him missing earlier that morning after she woke up around 1 AM and noticed he was not at home.
The police closed off Roget Park for much of the day as they searched for evidence to determine who was responsible for the shooting.
Initially, Duck's death was treated as a homicide, and the police were actively searching for suspects. The community was shocked by the news, as Duck was a well-respected figure who had dedicated 30 years of his life to the Lodi Fire Department. His colleagues remembered him as an insightful and intelligent man who led quietly and had saved many lives during his career. The investigation took a significant turn when the police later ruled Duck's death as a suicide. Despite the absence of a gun at the scene, investigators concluded that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. They speculated that an unknown person might have taken the gun from the scene before the police arrived.
The ruling of suicide brought a complex mix of emotions to those who knew Duck. While some found it hard to believe that he would take his own life, others reflected on the pressures and challenges he might have faced in his personal life. The case did not lead to any arrests or litigation, as the police closed the investigation after determining the cause of death. Duck's death remains a poignant reminder of the hidden struggles that individuals may face, even those who appear strong and resilient on the outside.
