Overview

• Four current and former deputies from the Harris County Sheriff's Office died by suicide between February 6 and March 19, 2025, with three occurring within a single week.
• Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressed grief over the losses, describing them as a painful reminder of life's fragility and the need for collective care and support.
• The Behavioral Health Division, established in 2020, provides peer-to-peer support and wellness programs but is facing scrutiny over gaps in addressing deputies' mental health needs.
• Law enforcement personnel face elevated suicide risks due to job-related stress, frequent exposure to critical incidents, and stigma around seeking help, according to research.
• The recent tragedies have sparked broader discussions on systemic mental health challenges in policing and the importance of removing stigma to foster officer wellness.