HCSO Newsletter #238 — Mental Health Awareness Month: You Are Not Alone. Help Is Here. | | Message from Sheriff Ed Gonzalez: | | |
The job is demanding. The hours are long. And sometimes, the weight of what we see and carry in this work doesn't stay at the scene — it follows us home, sits with us at the dinner table, and shows up in ways we don't always have words for.
That is not weakness. That is being human.
And that is exactly why the Personnel Support Division exists — not as a last resort, not for when things fall apart, but as a resource available to every HCSO employee, retiree, and their family members, any time they need it. Before the crisis. During the hard season. Whenever.
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What PSD Offers
Behavioral Health Services (BHS) connects you with licensed mental health professionals who don't just understand the job — they understand your job. The calls you can't shake. The shifts that take something from you. The weight that accumulates over years of service. Confidential support is available, and you deserve to use it.
The Peer Support Program may be the most powerful resource of all. These are not strangers in an office. These are fellow HCSO employees — people who have worn the same uniform, walked the same halls, and faced the same moments you have — trained to listen, to support, and to walk alongside you when things get hard. Sometimes the most healing conversation starts with someone who simply says: I know. I've been there too.
Chaplaincy Services, Family Assistance, Military Liaison Support, Honor Guard Services, and Wellness Initiatives — because taking care of this agency means taking care of the whole person behind the badge. Not just the deputy or detention officer who shows up for shift, but the parent, the partner, the human being who carries this work home every day.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we want every teammate to hear this clearly:
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you value yourself enough to fight for your own well-being. It is a sign that you value your family enough to show up for them fully. It is a sign that you value your career enough to protect it.
You have spent years showing up for this community. Let us show up for you.
🔗 For resources and support, visit: hcsopersonnelsupport.com/resources.
| | Hurricane Season Starts June 1: Harris County, Are You Ready? | | |
Here in Harris County, we know better than most what a powerful storm can do. We have lived it. And the Harris County Sheriff's Office has one message for our community as we head into the 2026 hurricane season: prepare now — before the storm ever has a name.
Waiting until a hurricane watch is issued is waiting too long. The time to stock supplies, review your evacuation route, check on your elderly neighbors, and make a family communication plan is today — not when the wind starts picking up.
A basic emergency kit should include water and non-perishable food for at least three days, medications, important documents, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, a phone charger, and a plan for your pets. Small steps taken now can make an enormous difference when it matters most.
Know your zone. Familiarize yourself with Harris County's evacuation zones and pay close attention to guidance from county and city officials when a storm approaches. Follow HCSO on social media and monitor local news for real-time updates.
When a storm threatens Harris County, HCSO will be ready. Our deputies and first responders will be positioned across the county — supporting evacuations, maintaining public safety, and responding to emergencies as conditions allow. We train for these moments. We prepare for these moments. Because protecting this community is not just our job — it is our commitment.
Harris County is resilient. We have proven that before, and we will prove it again. But resilience starts with preparation. Make your plan. Know your route. Look out for one another.
🔗 For preparedness resources, visit ReadyHarris.org.
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Harris County Commissioners Court allocated an additional $19 million to the Harris County Sheriff's and Fire Marshal’s offices to support ongoing capital improvement projects across eight law enforcement facilities.
The May 14 vote increased funding from $100 million to $119.73 million for the projects, which aim to enhance resiliency and technology at facilities in the HCSO’s patrol districts, according to agenda documents.
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HOUSTON – Nearly three years after Austin Kanuch was stabbed to death in his sleep, his family is turning grief into determination, unveiling a memorial bench in Cypress Park while a $40,000 reward remains on the table for information leading to an arrest.
The bench is part of the We Remember Memorial created by Tom Ramsey’s office in partnership with Crime Stoppers of Houston. It features a QR code that pulls up details about Kanuch’s unsolved murder, giving the community an immediate way to learn about the case and submit tips.
| | Harris County Sheriff's Office Teammate of the Week: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the HCSO highlight exceptional teammates who serve others above and beyond their duties. We regularly receive positive emails, thank you notes, and phone calls from the community. | | |
HCSO Teammate of the Week: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff's Office proudly recognize Deputy Juan Celestial
A supervisor recently shared:
"A commendation is in order for Deputy Celestial for his outstanding judgment, professionalism, and dedication to duty. Deputy Celestial conducted himself in a manner that reflects great credit upon himself, his peers, and the department. His actions exemplify the highest standards of service and leadership, and he should be given strong consideration during his next promotional opportunity. Semper Fidelis."
Deputy Celestial has dedicated an extraordinary 29 years of service to the Harris County Sheriff's Office — beginning his law enforcement career in 1994 as a certified officer. Over nearly three decades, he has built a reputation for professionalism, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to duty. Currently, he serves in the Maritime Tactical Operations Section (MTOS).
Deputy Celestial, 29 years of showing up, doing the right thing, and setting the standard for those around you. Thank you for your decades of service to Harris County. We are incredibly proud to have you on this team.
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HCSO Teammate of the Week: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff's Office proudly recognize Deputy Dane Simpson
A Harris County resident recently shared:
"I'm writing to commend Deputy Simpson for his professionalism and courteous conduct during a traffic stop. Although it was very early in the morning, Deputy Simpson's approach was respectful, calm, and professional. He explained my warning was for a defective license plate light — and even took the time to explain why it matters. What impressed me most was his customer service and respectful demeanor. Deputy Simpson represented his department positively and professionally, and I felt it was important to share my appreciation."
Deputy Simpson has been proudly serving HCSO for nearly 5 years. He began his patrol career 3 years ago. In just under five years, Deputy Simpson has already shown what it means to represent this badge with professionalism, patience, and genuine care for the people he serves.
Deputy Simpson, we are proud to have you on this team!
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HCSO Command Staff proudly welcomed the Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) Cadets of Class B1-2026 to the agency.
66 dedicated cadets embark on a remarkable journey defined by service, courage, and a commitment to protecting the people of Harris County.
Best of luck to each of you—your future starts now.
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From May 18th through May 31st, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office will join law enforcement agencies across Texas for the “Click It or Ticket” campaign with increased seat belt enforcement throughout Harris County.
Seat belts reduce the risk of serious injury or death by nearly 50%. One simple click could save your life.
Buckle up every ride, every time.
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On Friday May 15, 2026, Harris County Sheriff’s Office District 4’s Community Engagement was honored to participate in Career Day at Boone Elementary!
Deputy Charles Hill had the opportunity to speak with students about careers in law enforcement, the importance of education, and the many ways deputies serve and protect the community each day.
We appreciate Boone Elementary for the invitation and for providing an opportunity to inspire and engage with the next generation of leaders. Investing in our youth through mentorship, encouragement, and positive interaction continues to make a lasting impact in our community.
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POV: your local deputy begging you to just wear the seat belt already 😭🚔
Our deputies have seen firsthand how fast a normal drive can turn into a life-changing crash.
Buckle up every ride, every time.
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HCSO stood alongside the family of Austin Kanuch to renew the call for justice.
Austin was murdered in his home in September 2023. His killer is still out there, and his family continues to wait for answers.
In honor of Austin’s life and memory, Crime Stoppers of Houston hosted a memorial bench dedication at Cypress Park.
This bench serves as more than a memorial — it is a reminder that Austin will not be forgotten, and neither will the pursuit of justice in his case.
If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, please contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS. Tips can remain anonymous.
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Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff's Office honor the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities whose voices, values, and cultural richness uplift our society.
We recognize their contributions to public service and beyond.
| | Happy Trails: HCSO Retirees | | To all retirees, we thank you for your years of service to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Congratulations on your retirement, and best of luck on the next chapter in your life. | | |
The job is demanding. The hours are long. And sometimes, the weight of what we see and experience in this work follows us home. That is exactly why the Personnel Support Division exists — not as a last resort, but as a resource available to every HCSO employee, retiree, and their family members, any time they need it.
The Personnel Support Division (PSD) brings together a range of services designed to support the whole person — not just the deputy or detention officer who shows up for their shift, but the human being behind the badge. Through Behavioral Health Services (BHS), teammates have access to confidential support from licensed mental health professionals who understand the unique pressures of a law enforcement career. Whether you are dealing with stress, grief, relationship strain, trauma, or just feeling like you are running on empty — help is available and it is okay to ask for it.
The Peer Support Program is one of the most valuable tools in that system. Peer supporters are fellow HCSO employees — people who have worn the same uniform and faced the same challenges — trained to offer a listening ear, guidance, and connection to additional resources when needed. Sometimes the most powerful thing is talking to someone who genuinely gets it.
PSD also provides chaplaincy services, family assistance, military liaison support, honor guard services, and wellness initiatives — because the well-being of this agency depends on the well-being of its people.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, we want every teammate to know: reaching out is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you value yourself, your family, and your career enough to take care of all three.
For more information on available resources, visit hcsopersonnelsupport.com/resources
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The May issue of Headset & Health is here!
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this edition focuses on topics that can impact many of us including stress, PTSD and suicide awareness.
These conversations are not always easy, but they are important. We hope this issue feels supportive, relatable, and reminds you that taking care of your mental health matters just as much as taking care of everyone else and that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
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