Two Female Cops from Same Police Force Found Dead

The law enforcement community in Texas is mourning the loss of two sheriff’s deputies who died in apparent suicides just days apart.

Harris County Deputy Sheriff Christina Kohler, 37, was found dead on March 13 in Houston after being reported missing the day before. Houston police are investigating her death as an apparent suicide and awaiting autopsy results for confirmation.

Just three days later, former Harris County Deputy Sheriff Maria Vasquez, 42, also died in what authorities believe was suicide in Montgomery, about an hour outside of Houston. Vasquez had left the sheriff’s office in December.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office shared a tribute on Facebook, posting a photo of both deputies with the message, “Heaven has gained two beautiful angels. May their memory be a blessing, inspiring strength and comfort to their friends, family, and coworkers during this challenging time.”

Kohler joined the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 and most recently served as a court bailiff. She was reported missing on March 12, prompting a statewide alert from the Texas Center for the Missing, which warned that she was in danger and faced a serious threat to her health and safety.

Her loss has left a deep impact on those who knew her. “Her name, her life, absolutely deserves to be remembered for her commitment to our profession,” HCSO Constable Mark Herman wrote in a heartfelt Facebook tribute.

Her colleagues described her as a dedicated officer and a great person to be around. Friends and family shared their grief on her memorial website. “Christina, you were a beautiful, funny, and sweet person… You are loved by so many and I hope you knew that,” one wrote. Others praised her as an incredible mother who always put her children first.

Loved ones will gather for her visitation on Wednesday, followed by a funeral on Thursday.

The tragic deaths of Kohler and Vasquez have sparked discussions about mental health struggles within law enforcement.

“Please, if you are struggling, reach out to someone, anyone. You are needed and you matter, even when you feel your lowest,” wrote HCSO Constable Sherman Eagleton. “Our brothers and sisters in blue, take care of each other. Don’t carry the burden alone, your family is here for you.”

With nearly 5,100 employees and 200 volunteers, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is the largest in Texas and the third-largest in the U.S. The agency said it is providing mental health and peer support services to its officers as they grieve.

The back-to-back losses have left many in shock, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness and support in high-stress professions like law enforcement.