In 1987, Pennsylvania State Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer was convicted for bribery and was about to be sentenced. Facing up to 55 years in prison and a $300,000 fine, Dwyer called a press conference, seemingly to announce his resignation.

Once in front of the cameras, Dwyer read from a prepared statement, that turned out to be a suicide note: "I've repeatedly said that I'm not going to resign as State Treasurer. After many hours of thought and meditation I've made a decision that should not be an example to anyone because it is unique to my situation. Last May I told you that after the trial, I would give you the story of the decade. To those of you who are shallow, the events of this morning will be that story. But to those of you with depth and concern the real story will be what I hope and pray results from this morning--in the coming months and years, the development of a true Justice System here in the United States. I am going to die in office in an effort to ...see if the shame[-ful] facts, spread out in all their shame, will not burn through our civic shamelessness and set fire to American pride. Please tell my story on every radio and television station and in every newspaper and magazine in the U.S. Please leave immediately if you have a weak stomach or mind since I don't want to cause physical or mental distress. Joanne, Rob, DeeDee - I love you! Thank you for making my life so happy. Good bye to you all on the count of 3. Please make sure that the sacrifice of my life is not in vain."

He then handed three of his staffers an envelope, one of which contained a letter to his wife, before producing another envelope with a .357 inside. Pandemonium broke out as Dwyer said, "Please, please leave the room if this will affect you." He opened his mouth, inserted the gun and pulled the trigger. News cameras caught it all and the feed went out live.

*WARNING: VIOLENT CONTENT*

