Jan 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 1

AROUND THE COUNTRY
LA COUNTY. NV.
Deputy Arturo Atilano-Valdezs’ Widow files $20 million claim alleging L.A.
Sheriff’s overtime policies led to deputy suicides.
LAS ANGELES, CA. – The widow
of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s
Department (LASD) Deputy Arturo
Atilano-Valadez, who was one of
four department members to die by
suicide in a single day, is filing a $20
million damages claim against the
department, alleging that mandatory
overtime policies contributed
to the mental health struggles that
ultimately led to the suicides.
Michele Atilano spoke at a news
conference, revealing the toll that
excessive overtime took on her
husband and calling for changes to
department policies.
“My husband was present but he
was walking like a zombie,” Atilano
said, pointing to the department’s
indifference to the deputies’ working
hours and calling for a shift in
their approach.
Atilano-Valadez had reportedly
spent over a decade working grueling
12-hour shifts in county jails,
facing mandatory overtime, and
was denied requests for transfer.
According to the claim, these conditions
contributed to his growing
depression, ultimately leading to his
tragic decision to take his own life.
Atilano addressed Sheriff Robert
Luna directly, recounting a conversation
with him after her husband’s
death.
“He doesn’t even know how much
overtime he gives them. I want to
know how many have committed
suicide this year, because my husband
was just one
of many.”
The department
issued a statement
expressing condolences
and stating
its commitment to
the well-being and
safety of its employees.
Following the suicides,
Sheriff Luna
promised to address
the stressful working
conditions.
“Our profession
has become even
more challenging
throughout
the years, and we
are all human
with emotions and
struggles that don’t disappear when
you take off your duty belt or leave
work,” he wrote in a statement.
“I recognize the increased workload
and long hours can take a toll
on you and amplify challenges. I
have the deepest concern for your
well-being, and I’m committed to
developing a healthier plan to reduce
work stress factors to support
our employees.”
However, the claim comes amid
a broader pattern of deputy suicides
linked to mandatory overtime,
prompting calls for urgent action.
Atilano’s attorney, Brad Gage,
argues that additional factors such
as discrimination against the deputy
may present exceptions to the
immunity.
Additionally, Gage said the department
has not taken steps to protect
deputies.
“The department is well aware of
the health problems the deputies are
going through because of the overtime,”
Gage said of the situation.
“The board of supervisors acknowledged
it. Sheriff Luna acknowledged
it. But the department has not replenished
their ranks or taken other
actions to protect deputies from
the harm of being overworked and
overburdened.”
50 The Blues - January ‘24