Statement by Chief Fred Fletcher
Last night the world lost a very special person, a brother and friend. Monday night retired Chattanooga Police Department Lieutenant Todd Royval passed away. Lt. Royval was loved by family and friends, respected by coworkers, and feared by bad guys. Lt. Royval was a 20-year veteran of the Chattanooga Police Department, retiring in January of 2015. He was a man who absolutely loved being a cop, mentoring other officers and serving the community. In 2007, Lt. Royval was instrumental in starting CPD's Crime Suppression Unit. He later played a key role in the Department's initial implementation of Focused Deterrence principles through the Violence Reduction Initiative. His work throughout his tenure at CPD is greatly appreciated by me, my staff, Mayor Berke, and the community. CPD Chaplains stand ready to assist anyone who needs spiritual support in this difficult time. Our Victim Services Unit will be coordinating additional support for those of us who need it. This is going to be a very difficult time for both the Royval and Chattanooga Police families. Please keep the entire Royval family in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy as they continue to cope with the loss of their beloved husband, father, son, and brother.
Retired Chattanooga police Lt. Todd Royval, formerly in charge of the police department's anti-gang efforts, died Monday in East Ridge, according to police.
Royval, 46, apparently committed suicide, sources said. The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on the 400 block of Bluebird Circle, according to East Ridge police.
Officers responded to a report of a car crash and found a pickup truck, still running, smashed into a sedan.
Royval was found lying dead beside the truck when officers arrived. A handgun was found next to his body, and he was "bleeding from the head," according to East Ridge police.
The crash appeared to be deliberate, investigators said, and no foul play is suspected. Royval did not die from injuries sustained in the crash, police said.
Royval was instrumental in starting the department's Crime Suppression Unit in 2007, according to police.
He also took charge of the city's Violence Reduction Initiative before asking to be reassigned in December 2014 and then resigning in January 2015. He had criticized the program after he left the department.
Despite rumors on social media that Royval had been killed, East Ridge Assistant Chief Stan Allen emphasized Tuesday that the death was not connected to gang activity and that no foul play is suspected.
Royval had more than 20 years of police experience when he resigned. His former partner, Lt. Glenn Scruggs, said he was a great man.
"People tend to overuse the terms 'fearless' and 'born leader,' but those two terms are appropriate when describing Todd," he said.
Chattanooga police Chief Fred Fletcher said Royval loved being a cop and that he will be greatly missed.
"Last night the world lost a very special person, a brother and friend," he said in a statement Tuesday. "Lt. Royval was loved by family and friends, respected by coworkers, and feared by bad guys."
Overall, law enforcement officers face a greater risk of suicide than the general public because of the exposure to violence and high levels of stress that the job brings, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Any public safety employee who is thinking about suicide can call Safe Call Now to speak anonymously with officers, former officers, public safety professionals and mental health providers who are familiar with the industry. The organization's hotline, 206-459-3020, is always open and is completely confidential.
Contact staff writer Shelly Bradbury at 423-757-6525 or sbradbury@timesfreepress.com with tips or story ideas. Follow @ShellyBradbury.