Harris County Sheriff’s Office has been rocked by multiple deaths in the force recently
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Tragedy has befallen the policing community in Texas, as a fourth cop has been found dead in less than two months.
Christina Kohler, a beloved deputy serving Harris County, was tragically found deceased last Thursday (March 13) at the age of 37, just one day after being reported missing. A medical examiner confirmed her death as a suicide later that week, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
In a heartbreaking series of events, former Harris County deputies Christina Kohler, Maria Vasquez, William Bozeman, and Long Nguyen have tragically taken their own lives within a short span of time. Kohler, 37, was found dead on March 13, just a day after being reported missing, with authorities ruling her death a suicide. Less than three days later, former deputy Maria Vasquez, who had retired from the department in December, also ended her life. The most recent loss came with the death of former deputy William Bozeman, found dead earlier this week.
This series of tragedies began on February 6 with the death of Long Nguyen, 58, who also died by suicide. In response to these devastating losses, Jose Lopez, president of the Harris County Deputies’ Organization FOP #39, expressed his shock to KTRK-TV, stating, “One is too many. Two? Three? Yes, it’s definitely devastating.”
Lopez, a veteran officer who personally knew two of the deceased for over two decades, has been working to support his fellow Texan officers through their grief. He reflected, “It hits very close to home and it’s a reminder to us how fragile life is and it’s also a reminder we do need to look out for each other. We do need to take care of each other.”
Douglas Griffiths, president of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, revealed a startling statistic: law enforcement officers are 54 percent more likely to die by suicide than those in other professions. This sobering fact underscores the mental and emotional toll that the job takes on those who serve and protect their communities.
Dr. Thomas McNeese, the director of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Behavioral Health Division, further explained the devastating impact of the profession during an interview with KHOU 11. “Unfortunately, this profession takes a toll on people. And over time, the longer you’re in it, the more of a toll it takes, and it changes people,” he said. Dr. McNeese elaborated, noting that the average person might face just two critical incidents in their lifetime, whereas a police officer could encounter multiple such incidents in a single shift. This continuous exposure to trauma significantly affects their mental health, contributing to the high rate of suicides within the law enforcement community.
