4 Current and Former Texas Sheriff’s alternates die of suicide of 6 weeks: Reports

• According to several reports, four current and former deputies with Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Texas have died of suicide in the last six weeks
• “Our hearts are heavy. We expand our deepest condolences to their families, colleagues and friends,” wrote Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on social media. “It is a painful reminder that life is delicate and time is not promised. May they rest in peace”
• Jose Lopez, President of Harris County Alternates Fop #39, told the local outlet Ktrk that the losses “caught many of us surprisingly”

A sheriff office in Texas mourns the loss of four current and former deputies in just six weeks, according to local reports.

On March 19, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced the Facebook That a pensioner in Harris County Sheriff’s Office had died “of an obvious suicide”, which he wrote had marked “three for us within a week.”

Since then, ABC -branch Ktrk and CBS affiliate KUU Has reported that four total deputies with HCSO – both present and previously – have died of suicide in recent weeks, with KTRK that noted that the deaths have taken place within six weeks. The Independent Also shared the news.

“Our hearts are heavy. We expand our deepest condolences to their families, colleagues and friends,” Gonzalez wrote on social media. “It is a painful reminder that life is delicate and time is not promised. May they rest in peace.”

According to KTRK, March 20, Deputy Christina Kohler’s death was ruled as a suicide by the county’s medical examiner after she was found on March 13. According to one Release from HCSOKohler worked in the court department and had joined HCSO 2018. She was 37 years old.

Former HCSO assistant Maria Vasquez also died of obvious suicide and William Bozeman was found dead under similar circumstances in recent weeks, Per both Ktrk and The Independent. Long Nguyen, another former assistant, died reportedly of suicide on February 6, both stores reported when quoting the medical examiner.

The HCSO Community Engagement Division Also announced the death of both Vasquez and Kohler on Facebook on March 17 and wrote that “Heaven has received two beautiful angels.”

“May their memory be a blessing, inspirational strength and comfort to their friends, family and colleagues during this challenging time.” The division’s statement was added.

People were enough for a rope for HCSO for comments on Friday March 28, but they did not immediately answer.

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina Has since sent their own “hearty condolences” to HCSO on Facebook after “the loss of four of their own from suicide”, while sharing pictures of the late deputies on Thursday March 27 and repeated that the four deaths took place within six weeks.

“Their name is Vice Christina Kohler, Vice Maria Vasquez, Vice William Bozeman and Vice Long Nguyen,” McSo wrote. “Keep their families in your hearts. Against the background of these tragic events, let’s remember – Mental Health Matters. Let’s fetal service, support and dialogue on these issues. Reach out, get help, let’s remove the stigma. Officer Wellness is crucial: it’s time for action, not silence.

Jose Lopez, President of Harris County Alternates Fop #39, told Ktrk that the losses “caught many of us surprisingly.”

“One is too many. Two. Three? Yes, it is definitely devastating,” he said, leaving that he helps them in the office process and that he personally knew two of the four deputies himself. “It hits very close to home and it is a reminder to us how fragile life is and it is also a reminder that we need to look up for each other,” he continued and noted, “we have to take care of each other.”

As KTRK reported, HCSO’s behavioral health division 2020 was set up and offers peer-to-peer support for alternates. As the Director of the Division, Thomas McNeese, explained to KHOU, the division is the first of its kind and has peer-supporting supporters that provide resources under critical incidents and thereafter.

“The average citizen that I believe in a lifetime can be exposed to two – I think is the statistics – critical incidents while one of our officers can be exposed to it on a shift. So, over time, it definitely takes a toll,” McNeese told KHOU, also explanatory for Ktrk that the recent weeks “has been difficult for our staff

“Unfortunately, this profession takes a toll on people. And over time, the longer you are in it, the more of a toll it takes, and it changes people,” he said.

Karen Altamirano, who works full-time as a peer support position with John Celius, told Khou that “The biggest thing was trying to make them see that it will be ok-we will push through.”

McNeese also gave Ktrk some advice for anyone who struggles with their mental health after the recent losses. “Reaching out. Getting some help. To do something so as not to be able to hold on is really important,” McNeese said.

“It’s OK not to be ok but it’s not ok not to do anything about it,” he added to Khou. “You don’t want to stick there.”

If you or someone you know are considering suicide, please contact the 988 suicide and crisis life by calling 988, text “strength” to the crisis text line on 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.