# Four Deputy Suicides in Harris County Raise Questions About Mental Health Support - Original post: https://www.twitter.com/i/status/2120180528884416983 - Source account: [@DeepLeaksHQ](https://x.com/DeepLeaksHQ) - Source language: English - Duration: 3:34 - Published: 2026-11-11 - Canonical URL: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health ## Transcript [0:00](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health) Also today, friends and family said goodbye to veteran Harris County deputy Christina Koller. [0:06](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=6) Her death last week was ruled a suicide. [0:09](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=9) Koller is one of four current or former Harris County deputies who've taken their own lives in just the last six weeks. [0:16](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=16) ABC 13's Jessica Willey is live tonight, and this is leading to important conversations about the need for support, Jessica. [0:25](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=25) Yeah, Eric, the department has a behavioral health division that has made great strides since it was established in 2020, and has led the way, its director says, among law enforcement agencies. [0:37](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=37) But these recent deaths are raising serious concerns for the deputies organization. [0:43](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=43) The question is, what more should they be doing? [0:49](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=49) It caught, uh, a lot of us by surprise. Harris County Sheriff's deputy Christina Koller left home last week and was never seen again. [0:59](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=59) Houston police issuing this alert. The 37-year-old found on the 13th. [1:04](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=64) She had taken her own life. Three days later, Maria Vazquez, who left the department in December, died by apparent suicide. [1:12](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=72) William Boseman, also a former deputy, died earlier this week. [1:17](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=77) Tragic news. One is too many. You know, two, three is, yes, it's, it's definitely devastating. [1:27](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=87) That Jose Lopez is helping his friends and colleagues try to process. [1:31](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=91) It hits very close to home, and it's a reminder to us of how, how fragile life is. [1:41](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=101) Um, it- it's also a reminder that we do need to look out for each other. [1:48](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=108) We do need to take care of each other. Lopez is the president of the Harris County Deputy's Organization, but he knew two of the late deputies personally. [1:59](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=119) I knew them for over 20 years. In just six weeks' time, four current and former deputies have taken their own lives. [2:07](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=127) Psychologist Thomas McNeese is the director of the department's behavioral health division. [2:13](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=133) These, uh, last few weeks have been difficult for, for our staff and for, uh, the sheriff's office as a whole. [2:19](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=139) He says he and his division work to provide resources to both former and current employees who are struggling. [2:26](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=146) They embed to help people feel more comfortable. [2:28](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=148) This profession unfortunately ha- takes a toll on people, and over time, the longer they're in it, uh, the more of a toll that it takes. [2:36](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=156) And, uh, it changes people. First responders historically have a high rate of suicide. [2:42](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=162) It's a combination of things like what they see on the job, and then what the job entails. [2:48](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=168) While the department has been focused on mental health, often leading the way, Lopez says these last few weeks have raised questions. [2:56](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=176) We can't help to, to ask the question of, uh, um, is that enough? [3:05](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=185) You know, do we need to do something, uh, different? [3:10](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=190) Uh, what else can we do? And as they work to support those grieving, McNeese with this message to anyone who might be in crisis. [3:18](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=198) Reaching out, getting some help, doing something to be able to not stay stuck where you're at is really important. [3:25](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vyfyJ1ABeAe9/en/four-deputy-suicides-in-harris-county-raise-questions-about-mental-health?t=205) Jessica Willey, ABC 13, Eyewitness News.