Lloyd Wingfield, a 74-year-old Cottonwood resident, walked into the lobby of the Cottonwood Public Safety Building at 199 S. Sixth St. at 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 5, sat down against the wall, reportedly pulled out a .38-caliber revolver and shot himself in the head.
He was promptly taken to the Verde Valley Medical Center emergency department, where he was pronounced dead.
No one besides Wingfield was injured in the incident. There were no eyewitnesses, as Wingfield was standing just inside the doors to the building, away from the visibility of fire or police employees. One person, who was in the lobby for a paramedic refresher class, saw Wingfield come through the doors with a gun, but sought cover and did not see the shooting, according to the police report.
The Cottonwood Public Safety Building lobby was closed for the remainder of Tuesday, while police and fire services continued as usual. The building returned to normal on Wednesday.
“Anyone who has been a first responder longer than a couple of years has learned how to ‘acclimate’ to tragedy and trauma,” Sgt. Monica Kuhlt of the Cottonwood Police Department wrote in an email. “We have to learn to do so in order to provide the services necessary for that person during that emergency. We learn how to handle things more logically versus emotionally. However, we all really do appreciate the support the community has expressed because of yesterday’s incident. It means a lot to us.”
Kuhlt encouraged all Cottonwood employees who feel they need help in the wake of the tragedy to seek out the city’s Employee Assistance Program, which provides free and confidential counseling to any city employees.
One of Wingfield’s family members contacted Cottonwood police earlier in the day on Tuesday, reportedly suspecting that he was suicidal. CPD officers visited Wingfield’s house on Tuesday looking for him, but he did not make contact.
According to the police report, Wingfield could be seen at his house through the window, sitting on the couch and speaking on the telephone, but refused to answer the door or communicate with the police officers.
Wingfield showed up at the Public Safety building less than half an hour after officers left his residence.
Wingfield left a suicide note in his pocket, which made mention of a recent DUI arrest and an upcoming hearing that he said he would not attend, as well as requesting his remains be cremated and given to his daughter.
Court records indicate Wingfield had been arrested for misdemeanor DUI on Oct. 3 and pleaded guilty Jan. 2.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
