This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having
thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988
or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Law enforcement officials found four Los Angeles County Sheriff�s
Department employees dead on Monday and Tuesday, in what officials
described as unrelated suicides, according to multiple reports.

The deaths include one retired LASD member and three current members over
a 24-hour period, according to KTLA. The first three victims were
discovered on Monday, with the first victim being found dead at around
10:30 a.m. in Valencia; a second death was discovered at 12:53 p.m. in
Lancaster; and a third death was reported at 5:40 p.m. in Stevenson Ranch.
Detectives responded to the fourth victim Tuesday at around 7:30 a.m. in
the city of Pomona, KTLA reported.

L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said the deaths rocked law enforcement
officers across the state.

"We are stunned to learn of these deaths, and it has sent shockwaves 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," Luna said in an emailed statement to the outlet.

Two of the victims from Monday were identified by the Los Angeles Times as
25-year career veteran Cmdr. Darren Harris, and retired Sgt. Greg Hovland.

"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 said in his statement. "I have the deepest concern for our
employees� well-being, and we are urgently exploring avenues to reduce
work stress factors to support our employees� work and personal lives."

The Los Angeles Sheriff�s Department has not officially disclosed the
identity of the officers.

DETROIT POLICE OFFICERS FOUND DEAD IN SUSPECTED MURDER-SUICIDE WERE 'MODEL
OFFICERS': CHIEF

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Los Angeles Sheriff�s Department
for additional information, but a response was not immediately received.

Cristina Coria, a retired Santa Monica police officer, told FOX 11 Los
Angeles that the string of suicides, which authorities do not believe are
related, comes as law enforcement has generally struggled to deal with
depression that often stems from the difficulty of the job and other
factors.

"There are so many officers that I know that have talked about committing
suicide that I never thought in a million years would think about it or
talk about it," Coria told FOX 11.

She added: "There are so many officers out there that are struggling with
their identity, with finances, with relationship problems, with addictions
to pain meds, addiction to alcohol, you name it. There are so many things
going on, that our departments are not reaching out to them [struggling
officers] enough."

Struggles for first responders often include trauma from the job, lack of
public support, family or financial troubles, injuries they receive while
working, and feelings of abandonment after receiving those injuries, FOX
11 reported. The lack of financial compensation or support from superiors,
forced medical retirement and feelings of a lost identity after retiring
also contribute.

Laura Linder, the founder of the nonprofit Exclusively First Responders
and mother-in-law to a former LASD officer who took his own life, said the
daily job responsibilities also take a toll on the officers� well-being.

"What they see on a daily basis, we cannot even imagine and they cannot
unthink what they see," Linder said.

Referencing the four officers who were found dead this week, Coria added:
"It�s sad that these officers did not get the help that I�m sure they
wanted and were looking for."

According to KTLA, the LASD does not believe the deaths are connected. Its
Psychological Services Bureau and the Injury and Health Support Unit are
providing support and resources to the victims� families.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is still reeling from the
death of Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was fatally shot in
Palmdale on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Department recruit also died over the summer.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/four-los-angeles-sheriffs-officials-
153358839.html