- If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255
The deaths of four current and former Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department employees by suicide within 24 hours has led to calls for police personnel to check on colleagues’ well-being.
Veteran commander Darren Harris was found dead at his Santa Clarita home at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Anonymous sources told the LA Times that Mr. Harris died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The ministry did not confirm the reports.
Authorities then reportedly found the body of retired Sergeant Greg Hovland at his Quartz Hill home at 12:53 p.m., and at 5:40 p.m. an unnamed corrections officer called a custodial assistant was found at a residence in Stevenson Ranch.
The death of an officer working at a prison was reported at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The unnamed employee was found unresponsive at home and pronounced dead at a hospital in Pomona, California.
Sheriff Robert Luna said in a statement Tuesday that the department was “extremely saddened to learn of the deaths.”
“It has sent shockwaves throughout the department as we try to deal with the loss of not just one, but four beloved active and retired members of our department family.”
“In difficult times like these, it is important for employees, regardless of rank or position, to be concerned about the well-being of other colleagues and friends,” he said.
Pictured: Robert Luna speaks at a press conference in October. Sheriff Luna said Tuesday the department was “extremely saddened” to learn of the deaths of four former and current employees
In Tuesday’s statement, Sheriff Luna said the department’s Office of Psychological Services and the Injury and Health Support Division were working to provide counseling and other resources to the officers’ families.
“In addition, the department has a peer support program that members can utilize for additional support,” he said.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the high suicide rate among authorities.
This year alone, four additional employees have died by suicide in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, an agency spokesman said.
“The well-being of our employees is important to me, and we are urgently looking for ways to reduce workplace stressors to support the work and personal lives of our employees,” Sheriff Luna said in his statement.
Studies have shown that law enforcement teams with fewer personnel are at higher risk of dying by suicide – a finding that some attribute to the effectiveness of mental health and peer support programs found in larger teams.
All four deaths are being investigated as suicide deaths, but the causes of death have not been determined by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, law enforcement sources said, NBC reported.
In 2020, 116 police officers died by suicide, 113 died in the line of duty, increasing to 150 by 2021.
According to a 2022 study, police officers are 54 percent more likely to commit suicide compared to the civilian population. The graphic image shows members of the LA County Sheriff’s Office at a graduation ceremony in 2019
According to a 2022 study, police officers are 54 percent more likely to commit suicide compared to the civilian population.
While national suicide rates fell 3 percent from 2019 to 2020, according to CDC data, rates among first responders showed little to no decline between 2017 and 2020, the study found.
For confidential support, call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255
Shock as four LA Sheriff’s Department employees die by suicide in less than 24 hours, as colleagues say they are “beyond saddened by the deaths.”