Four officials, 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 tragic events occurred on November 6, 2023, and November 7, 2023, and are being investigated as apparent suicides.

The first incident was reported on Monday, November 6, when 56-year-old Commander Darren Harris, a 25-year veteran of the department, was found deceased at his home in Santa Clarita, California. Later that day, a retired deputy, 67-year-old Greg Hovland, was also found dead in Quartz Hill.

On the same day, Corina Thompson, 59, a custody assistant in the jail system, was found dead in Stevenson Ranch. The sequence of events continued with the death of a sheriff’s deputy employed in a jail. He was found unresponsive at his home in Pomona, California, and later pronounced dead at the hospital on November 7.

Sheriff Robert Luna of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department expressed the profound impact of these losses on the department. While ongoing investigations are yet to establish a connection between these incidents, the department is deeply affected.

These series of deaths highlight the challenges and mental health issues faced by law enforcement officers. The importance of mental health awareness and support for these officers is emphasized as a critical need.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, along with external agencies, is investigating these incidents. The department is currently focusing on providing support to the families of the deceased and to officers within the department who are coping with these losses.