Harris County Sheriff's Office Faces Crisis After Four Suicides in Six Weeks

The deaths of current and former deputies, including three in one week, highlight urgent mental health challenges in law enforcement.

Four current and former deputies from the Harris County Sheriff's Office have died by suicide since February 2025, including three within a single week in March.
The individuals who died were Deputy Christina Kohler, retired Deputies Maria Vasquez and William Bozeman, and retired Deputy Long Nguyen.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and other department leaders have expressed deep grief and emphasized the need for increased mental health awareness and support.
Law enforcement officers face unique stressors, with research showing they are 54% more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
The department has ongoing mental health initiatives but continues to struggle with addressing the systemic causes behind these tragedies.