Younger sister found body of NYPD cop who killed herself at home

Rachel Bocatija is the third NYPD officer to commit suicide so far this year. (FACEBOOK)

A young cop's family went about the grim business of planning her funeral Tuesday, just a day after the rookie cop apparently killed herself in her Brooklyn home.

Rachel Bocatija's family swelled with pride in 2016 when she became a police officer, said a neighbor, who declined to give her name.

"The day she graduated, everybody was celebrating. It was really nice,” the neighbor said.

On Monday, the 24-year-old cop's younger sister — who wanted to follow in her footsteps and join the NYPD — found her body in a locked room of their Canarsie home, the neighbor said.

A family member sobs outside Brooklyn home of rookie cop who was found shot to death. (TODD MAISEL/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

Bocatija's sister became concerned when she wasn't returning calls, and when she saw the officer's car parked outside, "She knew something was wrong," the neighbor said.

The neighbor said Bocatija argued with her dad about moving out shortly before the suicide.

She's the third NYPD officer to commit suicide so far this year, according to department statistics.

Friends and family of Rachel Bocatija comfort each other outside her Canarsie home on Monday, after her body was found inside. (TODD MAISEL/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

In 2016, five active officers committed suicide. Statistics for 2017 are incomplete, though four officers committed suicide between Jan. 1 and Aug. 7.

The NYPD offers an array of services for police officers contemplating suicide, and also guides cops to the non-profit Police Officers Providing Peer Assistance — a volunteer support network of active and retired officers.

In 2014, the department began its "Are you ok" campaign, urging police officers in distress to call crisis hotlines, and offering advice and information on how to handle warning signs from their colleagues.

- ny news