JANUARY 22nd, 1987 – It was on this date that one of the most horrible incidents ever captured during a live news report occurred. Pennsylvania’s 70th Treasurer, R. Budd Dwyer (R) was due to be sentenced on January 23rd after having been found guilty of assorted charges in 1986 following a bribery scandal.
On the 22nd, Dwyer held a press conference at which he protested the guilty verdict, produced a .357 Magnum handgun from a large envelope he was holding and shot himself to death. The tragic event was broadcast live and since many schools were out on a snow day on that date countless school children happened to be watching. WARNING: ADULTS ONLY MATERIAL BELOW.
Edited footage of Dwyer’s suicide has been part of online collections of live suicides and other acts of violence for years.
Dwyer had been found guilty of eleven counts of conspiracy, perjury, mail fraud and interstate transportation in aid of racketeering. His public suicide was a tragedy and scarred untold numbers of people.
In 2010 the documentary Honest Man was released. The feature-length production examines the late treasurer’s potential innocence as well as the evidence against him.
Balladeer's Blog 
Interesting post.
Thanks.
Recently encountered a Trump Derangement Syndrome Jewish person in Israel who hates the Jewish state.
I’ve encountered people like that, too.
There needs to be a button for “like but don’t like”
Yes, it doesn’t quite cover an item like this.
I have to say that I am glad now to have been living in the South at that time and likely was buried to my neck in documents to edit for the Johnson Space Center.
I understand. Great job to have, by the way!
I have one question: While some at the television studio may have esteemed him for his being an elected official — why did they let him on set with a gun?
He was at the capitol building in Pennsylvania holding a press conference. The gun was concealed in the large envelope he had and I would imagine nobody was expecting anything like what happened. Probably just expected a routine statement from a political figure.
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Logged, thank you sir!
Horrible to think about all the children watching on their snow day off😞.
Exactly. So sad.
This poor man who had given up life. I feel devastation he could of been saved where was his family work mates . People close to this person close their eyes . This article is a wake up call. Read it think . Somebody knew him . When someone looks for help reach out ring life line take control. All lives matter sending light ✨️
Thank you for such a compassionate and thoughtful comment. I appreciate it.