(L.A.) Darren Harris, 56, Ended His Life

Case Number: 2023-15228

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 56-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred at his residence in Santa Clarita.

The coroner’s office has identified the man as Darren Harris.

Manner of Death: Suicide

Cause of Death: Gunshot Wound of Head

RIP DARREN HARRIS (December 3, 1966 – November 6, 2023)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Monday at 9:33 a.m.

The decedent was an active-duty commander of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. He was a former spokesman for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station who was then promoted to become a lieutenant in the Sheriff’s Information Bureau, and then a captain who led the department’s transportation services.

Harris was one of four LASD employees who killed themselves over a 24-hour period, in seemingly unrelated instances.

The second death was of Greg Hovland, who had retired from the LASD. He was a longtime sergeant in Antelope Valley and was found dead Monday at his home in Quartz Hill.

The third employee was identified as Corina Thompson, 59, who died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Valdez and Thompson worked in custody at the North County Correctional Facility in the maximum-security portion of the Pitchess jail.

The fourth employee was Arturo Atilano Valadez who killed himself Tuesday morning.

09:33   DARREN    HARRIS           56  Residence  SUICIDE 🔫 HEAD
12:07   GREGORY   HOVLAND          67  Residence  SUICIDE 🔫 CHEST
15:57   CORINA    THOMPSON         59  Residence  SUICIDE 🔫 CHEST 
06:20   ARTURO    ATILANO VALADEZ  49  Hospital   SUICIDE 🔫 HEAD