Four employees of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) were found dead by suicide in a less-than-24-hour period that started Monday, according to reports.
“We are stunned to learn of these deaths, and it has sent shock waves of emotions throughout the department as we try and cope with the loss of not just one, but four beloved active and retired members of our department family,” Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said in an emailed statement, Los Angeles (LA) Times reported.
“Out of respect for their grieving families, we will not be disclosing the names of the employees at this time. Homicide detectives and the county of Los Angeles Medical Examiner will continue to investigate each incident independently,” LASD Spokeswoman Nicole Nishida said, per The Santa Clarita Valley Signal (SCVS).
However, LASD sources speaking on condition of anonymity said the deceased included Commander Darren Harris and Sergeant Gregory Hovland, per the LA Times and SCVS. Harris, 56, died from a gunshot wound to the head at his residence, per the LA County Medical Examiner. Hovland, 67, died from a gunshot wound to the chest at his residence, per the LA County Medical Examiner. Hovland had retired from the LASD, SCVS reported.
The third suicide was of a 60-year-old female custody assistant at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic, while the fourth worked at the North County Correctional Facility in the maximum-security portion of the Pitchess jail, SVCS reported. (RELATED: Video Shows Cops Talking Suicidal Man Off An Overpass)
LASD Suicide: Darren Harris, Greg Hovland, and 2 other employees of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have died by suicide.https://t.co/nXVF7mvi4l pic.twitter.com/uUKbm6MdLS
— Reality Bio (@reality_bio) November 8, 2023
The reported suicides bring the number of LASD employee suicides to eight this year, per the LA Times.
“During trying times like these it’s important for personnel regardless of rank or position to check on the well-being of other colleagues and friends,” Luna added, per the LA Times.
More officers have died by suicide than the number of those killed in the line of duty, with officers generally more at risk of suicide than the general population and officers in smaller departments more at risk than other officers as the psychological support is relatively thin, per the LA Times.