LA County Sheriff's Dept sees 4 current or former deputies die from apparent suicides in 24 hours

The Los Angeles County sheriff has called on his colleagues to check up on one another "regardless of rank or position" following the suspected suicides of four current and former employees, all within the span of a single 24-hour day.

These four alleged suicides, three of which were current sheriff's employees, are seemingly not tied together, The Messenger reports. With that in mind, the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner and Homicide Bureau still plan to investigate the deaths.

“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,” Sheriff Robert Luna said in an emailed statement to the Los Angeles 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.”

One of the dead was Cmdr. Darren Harris, who the Times reports was a well-known figure on TV news during his 25 years working as the chief department spokesperson. He was discovered deceased at his Santa Claria residence on Monday morning after shooting himself, according to the outlet. 

Later on, Greg Hovland, a sergeant who served in the Antelope Valley prior to his retirement, was found dead at his home in Quartz Hill. Then, a different employee was discovered deceased in Stevenson Ranch that evening. 

A fourth death was announced at 8:30 am on Tuesday, after an employee died from an apparent suicide at a hospital in Ponoma.

An agency spokesperson told the Times that a total of four other Sheriff's Department employees had killed themselves during this year alone.

Luna said counseling and help will be provided to the late officers' families through services from the department's Psychological Services Bureau and Injury and Health Support Unit.