The HCSO’s Behavioral Health Division was established in 2020 and offers peer-to-peer support for deputies, per KTRK. McNeese told KHOU that the division is the first of its kind as peer-support deputies provide resources during critical incidents and beyond.
On March 19, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced on Facebook that a Harris County Sheriff’s Office retiree had died “from an apparent suicide.”
“This makes three for us within the span of a week,” Gonzalez continued.
Since then, KTRK and KHOU have reported that a total of four deputies with the HCSO — both current and former — have died by suicide in recent weeks.
Nguyen, 58, a former deputy, reportedly died by suicide on Feb. 6, per the medical examiner, KTRK and The Independent report. On March 13, Deputy Kohler was found dead. Her death was ruled a suicide on March 20. She was 37.
Former HCSO Deputy Vasquez was found on March 16, and her death was also ruled an apparent suicide, per KTRK and The Independent. Three days later, retired Deputy Bozeman was found dead under similar circumstances.
“This profession, unfortunately, takes a toll on people,” McNeese told KTRK. “And, over time, the longer you’re in it, the more of a toll it takes, and it changes people.”
McNeese also urged those struggling with their mental health to reach out for help.
“It’s OK to not be OK but it’s not OK to not do something about it,” he told KHOU. “You don’t want to stay stuck there.”
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