The human stain in Ohio—one of them, at least—that mocked the suicide of a Black Lives Matter activist last month was fired this week. Former Fairborn police officer Lee Cyr commented on the Ohio Politics Facebook page, “Love a happy ending,” regarding the story of MarShawn McCarrel II, who committed suicide on the steps of Ohio’s statehouse in Columbus on February 8. Cyr made his comment about two days after McCarrel’s death and had been on administrative leave since the post came to light.

The Fairborn police department said in a press release in part that: “This action is in violation of the department’s social media policy and does not conform to the Professional Standards & Core Values established by the organization.”

McCarrel had been involved in other community efforts prior to the formation of Black Lives Matter, including feeding the homeless and organizing against police terror. Numerous friends and fellow activists spoke of what an inspiration he was to them, and how they had no idea what he was dealing with. The morning of his death, McCarrel posted a status update on his Facebook page: “My demons won today. I’m sorry.”

You can view a video clip of Marshawn at work below the fold.

To say that McCarrel’s suicide “rocked” the movement would be part cliché’, part truth. But it also turned a much-needed spotlight onto two areas: depression amongst activists, and self-care for activists. Two areas—and two responses—that seemingly confirm what some have been saying about Black Lives Matter from the beginning: “this ain’t your grandparents’ civil rights movement.”