The Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Texas is reeling after four current and former deputies died by suicide within six weeks, shaking the department and the Houston community.
The tragic losses began on February 6 with the death of 58-year-old retired deputy Long Nguyen. On March 13, serving deputy Christina Kohler, 37, was found dead, followed by former officer Maria Vasquez, 42, on March 16. The most recent was 61-year-old William Bozeman, who died on March 19.
Dr. Thomas McNeese, director of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Division, addressed the devastating events, calling them a profound loss for the department.
“These tragedies serve as a somber reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being for our staff,” McNeese told People in a statement. “[The Behavioral Health Division] offers an array of embedded specialized services tailored to the unique needs of HCSO employees.”
Former Harris County deputies Christina Kohler (top left), Long Nguyen (top right), Maria Vasquez (bottom left), William Bozeman (bottom right)(Harris County Sheriff’s Office)
“From crisis intervention training to wellness programs and peer support initiatives, we strive to ensure our personnel have the necessary resources to carry out their duties effectively and safely.”
McNeese continued: “Recent events underscore the need to continue strengthening and reinforcing our agency’s ongoing efforts to support our team’s mental health and resilience.
“We believe that consistency, trust, and tailored resources are key in cultivating a culture that truly values the well-being of our law enforcement family.”
A 2023 report by the US Fire Administration said that between 2015 and 2017, first responders made up one percent of all suicides in the US, with 58 percent of those being law enforcement officers (LEOs).
First responders make up one percent of all suicides, according to a report based on deaths between 2015 and 2017 (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, a paper obtained by ABC News in 2024 stated that a devastating 1,287 LEOs and correction officers had taken their lives between 2016 and 2022.
More than half (51 percent) of the officer deaths by suicide involved officers from local police departments, while 20 percent were from sheriff’s offices.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
