A Texas police department has been left in shock after four of its deputies died by suicide within the span of six weeks.
The death of Deputy Christina Kohler was announced by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) last week. The 37-year-old law enforcement officer had joined the force in 2018 and served in the courts division.
Kohler was reported missing two weeks ago and her body was discovered on March 13, officials said. Three former deputies have also died by suicide within the past six weeks.
The president of the Harris County Deputies Organization, Jose Lopez, said that he and his fellow officers are currently processing the situation. “It caught a lot of us by surprise,” Lopez said, The Mirror reported. “One is too many. Two? Three? Yes, it’s definitely devastating.”
Houston Police Officers’ Union president, Douglas Griffith, told the outlet that suicide risks are 54 percent higher for those in law enforcement.
In its post confirming Kohler’s death, HCSO reiterated that mental health support was available for colleagues.
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