I want to hear your thoughts after you read this story. I don’t believe in coincidences.
One current and three former deputies in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office committed suicide in the last six weeks:
Kohler went missing a week ago before being discovered on March 13. I’ve seen many outlets describing it as a mental health issue. From KHOU11:
It’s a tough job but every day, agencies like HCSO get it done. The impact may not be seen on the outside but it’s felt on the inside. Behavioral Health Division Director Thomas McNeese said internal battles aren’t easily won.”The average citizen I think in a lifetime may be exposed to two — I think is the statistic — critical incidents whereas one of our officers might be exposed to that on a shift. So, over time, that definitely takes a toll,” McNeese said.Deputy Christina Kohler was working for HCSO in the courts division when she took her own life. While sharing his grief on social media, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales also shared news of other former deputies and retirees who took their own lives.”It’s cumulative and it takes a toll over time because it depletes your reserves that you have,” McNeese said.McNeese said the Harris County Behavioral Health Division is one of the first of its kind. It is an agency-wide resource that provides in-person or office care. Karen Altamirano and John Celius work full-time as peer support deputies.”I would say it’s heavy, especially seeing people that you know, it’s hard on them. And the biggest thing was trying to get them to see that it’s going to be OK — we’re going to push through,” Altamirano said.
But four deputies within six weeks of each other? In my opinion, I believe there is more to the story.
I’m not dismissing the need to encourage people in the job to seek mental health help. Something just seems off about this story.
I’m also curious because the articles I found did not have enough details about the deputies. No interviews with colleagues, not anyone saying how the deputies behaved in the days leading up to their apparent suicides.
I hope someone, whether its the department or a journalist, does some more digging. Again, I don’t believe in coincidences.
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