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Warning: This article talks about suicide and mental health, which may be upsetting to some readers.
The law enforcement community in Texas is dealing with deep sorrow after four deputies from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office died by suicide in just six weeks.
The most recent tragedy was the discovery of Deputy Christina Kohler’s body on March 13.
The 37-year-old officer, who joined the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 and worked in the courts division, had been missing for two weeks before she was found.
Her death was confirmed as suicide, making her the fourth deputy linked to the department to take their own life in less than two months, according to The Independent.
Three other former deputies—Maria Vasquez, William Bozeman, and Long Nguyen—also died by suicide during the same period.
Vasquez had left the department in December, and her death was reported just three days after Kohler’s body was discovered. Bozeman was found dead earlier that same week. Nguyen, 58, passed away on February 6, according to the medical examiner.
“It caught a lot of us by surprise,” said Jose Lopez, president of the Harris County Deputies Organization, according to The Mirror. “One is too many. Two? Three? Yes, it’s definitely devastating.”
Lopez, who personally knew some of the officers who passed, shared that the emotional impact on the department has been enormous. “It hits very close to home and it’s a reminder to us how fragile life is, and it’s also a reminder we need to look out for each other. We need to take care of each other,” he said.
The tragic deaths have drawn attention to the mental health crisis affecting law enforcement agencies across the country.
Douglas Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, noted that the suicide risk for law enforcement officers is 54 percent higher than for the general population.
Dr. Thomas McNeese, director of the HCSO Behavioral Health Division, described the recent losses as an incredibly painful time for the department. “These last few weeks have been difficult for our staff and the sheriff’s office as a whole,” McNeese told KHOU 11.
“This profession, unfortunately, takes a toll on people. And, over time, the longer you’re in it, the more of a toll it takes, and it changes people,” he said. “It’s a combination of what they see on the job and what the job requires.”
McNeese pointed out that while the average person may face one or two critical incidents in a lifetime, a law enforcement officer might experience that level of trauma during a single shift. He hopes these recent tragedies will help reduce the stigma around mental health in the profession.
“There’s still that stigma about asking for help,” McNeese said. “It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to not do something about it. You don’t want to stay stuck there.”
In a statement after Kohler’s death, the HCSO emphasized that mental health resources are available for both current and former deputies. However, as the department mourns these four losses, many are questioning if enough is being done to support those who dedicate their lives to public service.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You can also text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Talking to someone can always help.
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