Widow of LA sheriff's deputy sues PD in $20M lawsuit after he took his own life over 'forced overtime'

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Attorney Brad Gage filed a claim on behalf of Deputy Arturo Atilano-Valdez's family, especially his wife. The claim pertained to the tragic incident where Atilano-Valdez took his own life at home on November 7.

Michelle Atilano, his wife, attributes her late husband's depression to years of working in jails and enduring mandatory overtime.

The grieving widow has come forward, asserting that she did not receive the essential support or assistance from her husband's employers, support that could potentially have saved his life.

What did Arturo Atilano’s wife say about his death?

The wife of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, who took his own life, has filed a $20 million wrongful-death claim against the county, citing concerns about "zombie" cops grappling with stress from excessive overtime.

Deputy Arturo Atilano-Valdez, survived by his wife Michele Atilano and two daughters, was one of four LASD employees who died by suicide within 24 hours.

Michelle Atilano attributes her late husband's depression to years of working in jails and enduring mandatory overtime, stating, "The public is not safe."

She expressed concern about deputies being overworked, likening them to "zombies" who are tired and not fully present, questioning their ability to save lives.

The grieving widow has spoken out, highlighting a lack of necessary support or help from her husband's employers that could have potentially saved his life.

"My daughters cry every night when they go to sleep, It's just me and my daughters left now," he said. 

Recalling the night of her husband's death, Michelle described hearing a "single pop" resembling fireworks while she and her daughters were in their bedrooms.

Atilano-Valdez took his own life on the couch, and Michelle, trying to shield her daughters, threw a blanket over him.

She emphasized that her husband succumbed to excessive stress from mandatory overtime, a sentiment echoed by her attorney, Brad Gage.

Gage asserted that the deputies' overwork, leading to dire consequences, is a central issue in the lawsuit, citing a 'conscious disregard of the safety and rights of the employees.' as per Daily Mail.

What did Sheriff Robert Luna say during the press conference?

Atilano-Valdez initiated his career in 2001 and spent the last 12 years assigned to jails, despite expressing a desire for a transfer, as stated in the claim.

The document mentioned that he sought help from doctors and therapists, but the combination of overtime and what was described as "virtual imprisonment" became increasingly severe.

Sheriff Robert Luna, who assumed office in December of the previous year, addressed concerns about overtime and other pressures faced by deputies during a recent press conference. 

He expressed his dissatisfaction with the other eight employee suicides within the past year and revealed that, as of November 5, the department faced a shortage of 1,200 sworn deputies and 1,600 professional staff members.

Sheriff Luna outlined plans to reduce mandatory overtime, emphasizing the importance of employee wellness and mentioning unit working mandates between eight and 12 times a month.

The department has increased the number of psychiatric doctors to over 20, and Sheriff Luna encouraged employees to seek help when needed, acknowledging the daily challenges they face.

He highlighted the prevalence of untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a contributing factor to wellness issues.

Notably, while all four deaths are being investigated as suicides, the specific causes have yet to be established by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, according to law enforcement sources cited by NBC.

The broader context reveals a concerning trend in law enforcement suicides. In 2020, 116 police officers died by suicide, surpassing the 113 officers who died in the line of duty.

This figure increased to 150 by 2021. A 2022 study found that law enforcement officers face a 54% higher risk of suicide compared to the civilian population.

Despite a three percent decrease in national suicide rates from 2019 to 2020, first responders, including law enforcement, experienced little to no improvement between 2017 and 2020, as indicated by CDC data as per DailyMail.