A Texas community is reeling after four current and former deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) reportedly died by suicide within a span of six weeks.
The first tragedy occurred on February 6, when retired Deputy Long Nguyen died by apparent suicide. Fox News reported on Saturday that three more deputies followed in the weeks after, leaving the department and the community devastated.
“These tragedies serve as a somber reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being for our staff,” said HCSO Director of Behavioral Health Division Thomas D. McNeese. “Recent events underscore the need to continue strengthening and reinforcing our agency’s ongoing efforts to support our team’s mental health and resilience.”
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez took to social media on Friday, revealing that FBI Director Kash Patel had reached out to extend condolences. “I’ve heard from colleagues both near and far, we’re sincerely touched by the outpouring of support,” Gonzalez wrote.
In a follow-up post, Gonzalez reflected on the impact these losses have had on the department. “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,” he wrote.
Houston Police Officers’ Union President Douglas Griffith emphasized the emotional toll of police work and the difficulties officers face in coping with what they experience daily. “There may have been signs that we had missed. And then that torments us,” he told KHOU 11.
The deaths have reignited discussions on the mental health struggles faced by law enforcement officers and the need for increased support within departments to prevent future tragedies.
