Four employees, presently and formerly associated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, were declared dead within 24 hours, sparking concerns and raising questions within the law enforcement community. The incidents occurred on November 6, 2023, and November 7, 2023, and are being investigated as apparent suicides.
The first report came on November 6, with the discovery of Commander Darren Harris, 56, a 25-year veteran, dead at his home in Santa Clarita, California. On the same day, the body of retired deputy Greg Hovland, aged 67, was found in Quartz Hill.
Additionally, on November 6, Corina Thompson, 59, a custody assistant in the jail system, was found dead in Stevenson Ranch. This was followed by the death of a sheriff’s deputy working in a jail, found unresponsive in his Pomona home, and later pronounced dead at the hospital on November 7.
Sheriff Robert Luna of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department acknowledged the significant impact these deaths have had on the department. Currently, no link between these incidents has been established, as investigations are ongoing.
These events underscore the difficulties and mental health challenges faced by those in law enforcement. There is a critical need for ongoing mental health support and awareness for law enforcement officers.
Investigations into these incidents are being conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and external agencies. Meanwhile, the department is concentrating on supporting the families of the deceased and their colleagues who are dealing with these losses.
