HARRIS COUNTY, TX - In the last six weeks, four current and former Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) deputies have taken their own lives, raising concerns about the mental health toll on law enforcement officers.
According to ABC13, on Thursday, March 20th, friends, family, and colleagues gathered to say their final goodbyes to Deputy Christina Kohler, a veteran of HCSO. Her death was ruled a suicide by the county medical examiner. Kohler, who was 37-years-old when she died, was reported missing the week before her death.
A public alert was issued by the Houston Police Department (HPD) and on March 13th, she was found, having taken her own life. Jose Lopez, the president of the Harris County Deputies' Organization FOP #39 said in a statement, "It caught a lot of us by surprise." Tragically, just three days later, former Harris County Deputy Maria Vasquez, who left the department in December 2024, also died by apparent suicide.
A few days after that, another former deputy, William Bozeman, was found dead under similar circumstances. Lopez said, "One is too many. Two? Three? Yes, it's definitely devastating." Lopez has been helping his fellow deputies process this profound grief. Having personally known two of the fallen officers for over two decades, he understands the depth of the impact on the community.
The county medical examiner confirmed that former Deputy Long Nguyen, 58, also died by suicide on February 6th. Lopez said, "It hits very close to home and it's a reminder to us how fragile life is and it's also a reminder we do need to look out for each other. We do need to take care of each other."
Dr. Thomas McNeese, the director of the Harris County Sheriff's Office Behavioral Health Division, has been working to provide mental health resources to employees. The unit was established in 2020 under Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and offers peer-to-peer support and functions throughout all operations. McNeese acknowledged the significant emotional burden of being a law enforcement officer.
He said, "These last few weeks have been difficult for our staff and the sheriff's office as a whole. 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."
Law enforcement officers and first responders historically experience a high rate of suicide due to the intense pressures and traumatic situations they encounter on a daily basis. KHOU reported that Houston Police Officers' Union President Douglas Griffith said, "Suicide risks rank about 54% higher for those in law enforcement.
McNeese said, "It's a combination of what they see on the job and what the job entails." Griffith said, "We do everything we can to minimize the threats these officers face, but you can't always face the threat that's within." He said that from the first day at the academy, an officer's mental health takes priority, but sometimes what they see daily carries an unbearable weight. Despite the department's ongoing focus on mental health initiatives, Lopez admitted that these recent tragedies have prompted some tough questions.
Lopez said, "We can't help but ask the question, is that enough? Do we need to take a different? What else can we do?" As the community mourns these painful losses, McNeese shared an urgent message to anyone struggling with mental health issues. He said, "Reaching out. Getting help. Doing something to be able to not stay stuck is really important."
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers confidential support 24/7 at 988 or 1-800-247-8255.
According to ABC13, on Thursday, March 20th, friends, family, and colleagues gathered to say their final goodbyes to Deputy Christina Kohler, a veteran of HCSO. Her death was ruled a suicide by the county medical examiner. Kohler, who was 37-years-old when she died, was reported missing the week before her death.
A public alert was issued by the Houston Police Department (HPD) and on March 13th, she was found, having taken her own life. Jose Lopez, the president of the Harris County Deputies' Organization FOP #39 said in a statement, "It caught a lot of us by surprise." Tragically, just three days later, former Harris County Deputy Maria Vasquez, who left the department in December 2024, also died by apparent suicide.
A few days after that, another former deputy, William Bozeman, was found dead under similar circumstances. Lopez said, "One is too many. Two? Three? Yes, it's definitely devastating." Lopez has been helping his fellow deputies process this profound grief. Having personally known two of the fallen officers for over two decades, he understands the depth of the impact on the community.
The county medical examiner confirmed that former Deputy Long Nguyen, 58, also died by suicide on February 6th. Lopez said, "It hits very close to home and it's a reminder to us how fragile life is and it's also a reminder we do need to look out for each other. We do need to take care of each other."
Dr. Thomas McNeese, the director of the Harris County Sheriff's Office Behavioral Health Division, has been working to provide mental health resources to employees. The unit was established in 2020 under Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and offers peer-to-peer support and functions throughout all operations. McNeese acknowledged the significant emotional burden of being a law enforcement officer.
He said, "These last few weeks have been difficult for our staff and the sheriff's office as a whole. 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."
Law enforcement officers and first responders historically experience a high rate of suicide due to the intense pressures and traumatic situations they encounter on a daily basis. KHOU reported that Houston Police Officers' Union President Douglas Griffith said, "Suicide risks rank about 54% higher for those in law enforcement.
McNeese said, "It's a combination of what they see on the job and what the job entails." Griffith said, "We do everything we can to minimize the threats these officers face, but you can't always face the threat that's within." He said that from the first day at the academy, an officer's mental health takes priority, but sometimes what they see daily carries an unbearable weight. Despite the department's ongoing focus on mental health initiatives, Lopez admitted that these recent tragedies have prompted some tough questions.
Lopez said, "We can't help but ask the question, is that enough? Do we need to take a different? What else can we do?" As the community mourns these painful losses, McNeese shared an urgent message to anyone struggling with mental health issues. He said, "Reaching out. Getting help. Doing something to be able to not stay stuck is really important."
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers confidential support 24/7 at 988 or 1-800-247-8255.
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