The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed that within a 24-hour span starting Monday, one retired and three current members were discovered dead.
The sheriff’s department reported that they discovered the first agency-related death in Valencia around 10:30 a.m. on Monday. Following this, detectives responded to a second death at 12:53 p.m. on the same day in Lancaster, and then to another one at 5:40 p.m. in Stevenson Ranch. The fourth death was found at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday at a Pomona hospital.
The sheriff’s department chose not to disclose any specifics regarding the fatalities and also opted to withhold the identities of those who passed away.
According to the Santa Clarita Valley Signal newspaper, there have been four deaths by suicide related to the department. However, a source familiar with the investigation has reported that despite the proximity and timing of the deaths, there seems to be no connection between them.
According to the Signal, two individuals who have been identified perished on Monday. Both deaths were ruled as suicides, with one individual succumbing to a gunshot wound to the chest, while the other passed away due to a gunshot wound to the head. The deceased were 67 and 56 years old, respectively, as per records from the county Medical Examiner.
The Signal reported that the duo consisted of a retired sergeant and a current commander. It is a standard practice for City News Service to refrain from disclosing the names of individuals who have died by suicide.
According to The Signal, a custody assistant who served at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic and was 60 years old, was reported to have passed away. Another individual who worked at the same facility also died on Tuesday, as per a source cited by The Signal.
Sheriff Robert Luna expressed his sorrow and shock over the loss of four members of the LASD family, both active and retired, in a statement on Tuesday. The department has been through a lot of tragedies and loss this year, making these deaths even more devastating. The news has sent shockwaves of emotions throughout the department as they try to come to terms with the loss.
In times of adversity, it’s crucial that every member of our team, regardless of their rank or position, looks out for their colleagues and friends. As a company, we prioritize the well-being of our employees, and we are actively seeking ways to alleviate work-related stress factors and provide support for their personal lives. We genuinely care about the welfare of our team, and we’re doing everything we can to help them through these challenging times.
According to the sheriff’s department, counseling services for department personnel are available 24/7, as well as a peer support program. Additionally, support services are being provided to the families of the deceased employees.
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