Tragedy struck a Texas sheriff’s office following the deaths by suicide of four of their deputies just six weeks apart from each other. Following the devastating news, Thomas McNeese, director of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office’s (HCSO) Behavioral Health Division, issued a statement saying that the loss of the Texas deputies was “deeply felt throughout our entire department.”
McNeese sent the statement to PEOPLE on Friday, March 28. According to McNeese, the Behavioral Health Division provides HCSO staff with various specialized services. Among the services provided are crisis intervention training, wellness programs, and peer support efforts.
“These tragedies serve as a somber reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being for our staff,” McNeese said in the statement. “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,” McNeese continued.
Deputy Deaths
A former deputy named Long Nguyen, 58, committed suicide on February 6. Christina Kohler, 37, died on March 13. Seven days later, her death was also declared a suicide. Maria Vasquez, the former deputy, found herself dead just three days after Kohler. Authorities declared her death as a suicide. Finally, on March 19, Deputy William Bozeman also committed suicide.
KTRK reports that the HCSO’s Behavioral Health Division was founded in 2020. The section was established under Ed Gonzalez, who also acknowledged the deaths of the deputies on Facebook. Gonzalez thanked FBI Director Kash Patel in his most recent connected tweet for conveying his sorrow following the four suicide deaths.
“We’re still in the initial stage of grief and doing our best to hold each other up,” Gonzalez wrote. “In times like these, we come together to learn from these tragedies, console one another, and offer help and support. As with other tragedies, such as line-of-duty deaths, injuries, and shootings, suicide impacts us all.”
Thomas McNeese told KTRK that law enforcement “takes a toll on people.”
“These last few weeks have been difficult for our staff and the sheriff’s office as a whole,” McNeese said. “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. We can’t help but ask the question, is that enough? Do we need to do something different? What else can we do?”
If you or someone you hold dear is struggling with mental health issues or considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Dial 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, or visit 988lifeline.org.
