Four deputies from same department died by suicide 6 weeks apart

A Texas sheriff’s office is reeling after four deputies died by suicide within six weeks, leaving the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and local community devastated.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced on March 19 that retired deputy William Bozeman had died by suicide—tragically, the fourth such death since early February.

Earlier that month, Deputy Christina Kohler, 37, and retired Deputy Maria Vasquez, 42, also died by suicide, just days apart. Former Deputy Nguyen, 58, was the first, passing on February 6.

“It caught a lot of us by surprise,” said Jose Lopez, president of the Harris County Deputies’ Organization. “One is too many… it’s a reminder we need to take care of each other.”

Between 2016 and 2022, at least 1,287 U.S. public safety officers died by suicide, according to CNA and First H.E.L.P., though experts believe the real number is higher due to underreporting.

Law enforcement officers face a 54% higher suicide risk than other professions, largely due to repeated trauma exposure, says Dr. John Violanti of the University at Buffalo.

“This profession takes a toll,” said Thomas McNeese, head of HCSO’s wellness program. “It changes people.”

Despite ongoing mental health efforts, the department is questioning if it’s enough. “What else can we do?” Lopez asked.

“It hurts, and I grieve each loss,” Gonzalez said. “When a deputy dies by suicide, it’s particularly painful—we wonder what could have been done.”