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From the New York Post: Four current and former sheriff’s deputies from Harris County Sheriff’s Department in Houston, Texas have died by suicide since February — including three in a span of one week, according to authorities.
In the first saddening incident, retired Deputy Long Nguyen died by suicide on Feb. 6, according to local ABC 13.
Weeks later, Deputy Christina Kohler, 37, who was found dead on March 13 after being declared missing for over a week, the station reported.
Three days later, the body of former Deputy Maria Vasquez was discovered, with the Houston Medical Examiner ruling the death as self-inflicted. Vasquez had retired from the force in December 2024.
Then, on March 19, retired Deputy William Bozeman also took his own life after spending 24 years in the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, the outlet reported.
Merissa Hansen, an investigative reporter in Harris County, shared photos of the four lost officials.
In Harris County, Texas, four current and former deputies of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) tragically took their own lives within a six-week period in early 2025. This series of events began with the death of former deputy Long Nguyen, 58, on February 6, followed by…
— Merissa Hansen (@merissahansen17) March 27, 2025
“What’s happening?” asked Gunther Eagleman.
Hansen gave a heartbreaking answer.
“The county has been defunding the department for 5 years. Our judicial system is broken, and the cops are strained. I’ve spoken with many of them. They’re all demoralized by bail reform. They arrest criminals and they’re back on the streets within 24 hours being arrested again,” she explained.
The county has been defunding the dept for 5 years.
Our judicial system is broken, and the cops are strained
I’ve spoken with many of them. They’re all demoralized by bail reform. They arrest criminals and they’re back on the streets within 24 hours being arrested again.
— Merissa Hansen (@merissahansen17) March 28, 2025
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a statement on Facebook, “I’m deeply honored to receive a call from Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel extending condolences for our members who have recently died by suicide. I’ve heard from colleagues both near and far, we’re sincerely touched by the outpouring of support.
“We’re still in the initial stage of grief and doing our best to hold each other up. In times like these, we come together to learn from these tragedies, console one another, and offer help and support. As with other tragedies, such as line-of-duty deaths, injuries, and shootings, suicide impacts us all.”
4 former and current Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies take their own lives in last 6 weeks https://t.co/AwRRa4nq7q
— Blue Lives Matter (@RetiredNYCPD) March 23, 2025
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