Texas Official Speaks Out After 4 Current and Former Deputies Die by Suicide Weeks Apart

03/28/2025 11:00 PM

Long Nguyen, Maria Vasquez, William Bozeman and Christina Kohler each died by suicide within six weeks of each other

A Texas official is speaking out about the deaths of four current and former deputies. Long Nguyen, Maria Vasquez, William Bozeman and Christina Kohler died by suicide within six weeks of each other.

Thomas D. McNeese, director of the Harris County Sheriff's Office's (HSCO) Behavioral Health Division, said in a statement to PEOPLE on Friday, March 28, that the losses have "been deeply felt throughout our entire department."

"These tragedies serve as a somber reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental health and well-being for our staff," he continued. 

The Behavioral Health Division "offers an array of embedded specialized services tailored to the unique needs of HCSO employees," McNeese wrote. "From crisis intervention training to wellness programs and peer support initiatives, we strive to ensure our personnel have the necessary resources to carry out their duties effectively and safely."

"Recent events underscore the need to continue strengthening and reinforcing our agency's ongoing efforts to support our team's mental health and resilience," McNeese continued. 

"We believe that consistency, trust, and tailored resources are key in cultivating a culture that truly values the well-being of our law enforcement family," the statement concluded. 

The HCSO's Behavioral Health Division was established in 2020 and offers peer-to-peer support for deputies, per KTRK. McNeese told KHOU that the division is the first of its kind as peer-support deputies provide resources during critical incidents and beyond.

On March 19, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced on Facebook that a Harris County Sheriff's Office retiree had died "from an apparent suicide."

"This makes three for us within the span of a week," Gonzalez continued.

Since then, KTRK and KHOU have reported that a total of four deputies with the HCSO — both current and former — have died by suicide in recent weeks.

Nguyen, 58, a former deputy, reportedly died by suicide on Feb. 6, per the medical examiner, KTRK and The Independent report. On March 13, Deputy Kohler was found dead. Her death was ruled a suicide on March 20. She was 37.

Former HCSO Deputy Vasquez was found on March 16, and her death was also ruled an apparent suicide, per KTRK and The Independent. Three days later, retired Deputy Bozeman was found dead under similar circumstances.

"This profession, unfortunately, takes a toll on people," McNeese told KTRK. "And, over time, the longer you're in it, the more of a toll it takes, and it changes people."

McNeese also urged those struggling with their mental health to reach out for help.

"It's OK to not be OK but it's not OK to not do something about it," he told KHOU. "You don't want to stay stuck there."

Related: 4 Current and Former Sheriff's Deputies from Texas Office Die by Suicide in 6 Weeks

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If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.