Wife of Slain Police Officer Sought for Questioning Had Advocated for Officer Mental Health

Worcester police are actively searching for Karen Solomon, 58, the wife of a veteran police officer found dead in their home early Tuesday. Authorities believe she may be armed and dangerous.

Karen Solomon was seen calmly walking away from the couple's residence approximately 10 minutes after police received a call for a medical emergency at the home, according to surveillance footage released by the Worcester Police Department. Her husband, 57-year-old patrolman Kurt Solomon, a 31-year veteran of the department, was discovered deceased inside the home shortly thereafter.

The cause of Kurt Solomon's death has not yet been released, and Karen Solomon has not been charged as of Thursday morning. The Worcester County District Attorney's Office stated that she is being sought for questioning in connection with her husband's death.

A History of Advocacy

Prior to the ongoing search, Karen Solomon was known for her extensive work advocating for the mental health and well-being of police officers and first responders. She is the founder and president of First H.E.L.P., a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues among these professionals and raising awareness about suicide prevention.

Solomon is also the author of two books, "Hearts Beneath the Badge" and "The Price They Pay," both published over a decade ago. These works explore the mental health challenges and suicides experienced by law enforcement officers. Her biography for First H.E.L.P. indicates a focus on the experiences of families who have lost officers to suicide and officers who feel they have no support.

In a 2016 interview, Solomon stated that she was motivated to share officers' stories after her son asked why a classmate had told him that police kill people without reason. She developed the website 1stHelp.Net to provide resources for first responders facing mental, physical, or financial crises.

Solomon's community involvement also included participation in the 2018 Officer Safety and Wellness Group Meeting, hosted annually by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. She served as co-chair of the Data and Research Committee for the National Consortium on Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention. In 2023, she received the Community Hero Award from the Greg Hill Foundation for her advocacy for first responders.

Kurt Solomon was nearing retirement and was described as a distinguished member of the Worcester Police Department by Officer Thomas Duffy, President of NEPBA Local 911.