Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and mental health that some readers may find upsetting.
A Texas law enforcement community is grappling with immense grief after four deputies linked to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office died by suicide within a span of just six weeks.
The latest heartbreaking loss came with the discovery of Deputy Christina Kohler’s body on March 13.
The 37-year-old officer, who joined the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) in 2018 and worked in the courts division, had been reported missing two weeks earlier.
Her death was confirmed to be suicide, making her the fourth deputy connected to the department to take their own life in less than two months, The Independent reports.
Three other former deputies — Maria Vasquez, William Bozeman, and Long Nguyen — also died by suicide in the same time frame.
Vasquez had left the department in December, and her death was announced just three days after Kohler’s body was found. Bozeman was found dead earlier that same week. Nguyen, 58, died 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, via The Mirror. “One is too many. Two? Three? Yes, it’s definitely devastating.”
Lopez, who personally knew some of the fallen officers, said the emotional toll on the department has been immense. “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,” he said.
The tragic series of deaths has spotlighted the mental health crisis affecting law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Houston Police Officers’ Union president Douglas Griffith pointed out that suicide risk is 54 percent higher for individuals in law enforcement compared to the general population.
Dr. Thomas McNeese, director of the HCSO Behavioral Health Division, described the recent losses as a deeply painful period 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 entails.”
McNeese noted that while the average person may encounter one or two critical incidents over a lifetime, a law enforcement officer might face that level of trauma in a single shift. He hopes the recent tragedies will break down stigma surrounding mental health in the field.
“There’s still that stigma out there 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 following Kohler’s death, the HCSO emphasized the availability of mental health resources for current and former deputies. But as the department mourns these four losses, many are asking whether 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. Additionally, you can text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. Speaking to somebody will always help.
