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COLUMBUS — After years of relying on a single dedicated deputy to respond to mental health crises across Colorado County, the Sheriff’s Office is preparing to add a second officer to help meet the community’s needs.
Colorado Count y Commissioners Court accepted a $121,123.07 donation from an anonymous donor Oct. 13 to help purchase equipment needed to establish a second mental health deputy position.
The addition would double the number of deputies assigned specifically to mental health response, expanding a program that has worked to connect residents experiencing mental health crises with treatment and support services rather than the criminal justice system.
Chief Deputy Kevin Daniel said the donation was made for the “betterment of the community” and carries no restrictions beyond its intended use for equipment associated with the second position.
The Sheriff’s Office plans to use the funds for necessary equipment, including a vehicle.
“A mental health deputy is a deputy for the Sheriff’s Department, and he goes out and routinely meets with mental health consumers to make sure they’ve been taking their medication or if they’re in crisis,” Daniel said.
The county’s existing mental health deputy, Andrew Lopez, began serving in the specialized role in 2022 after community fundraising efforts through the Colorado Valley Wellness Council helped establish the position.
Lopez’s responsibilities extend beyond responding to emergencies. His work includes checking on residents receiving mental health services, helping families navigate crises, and coordinating access to treatment.
In a January 2025 article published by the Colorado County Citizen through Jaron Von Runnen with Texas Community Health News, Lopez described the demands of serving as the county’s only full-time mental health deputy.
“Sometimes, I’ve actually worked 19 hours a day,” Lopez said at the time. “If I had to do a mental health transport to a psychiatric facility or, you know, handling someone in crisis, my hours fluctuate so much.”
Lopez recalled returning home after a 13-hour shift, only to be called back to work less than 30 minutes after preparing dinner.
His experience illustrates the challenges of providing specialized mental health response services in a rural county, where deputies may be required to travel significant distances to transport residents to psychiatric treatment facilities.
Mental health deputies receive specialized training to recognize and respond to people experiencing psychiatric crises. Their work emphasizes de-escalation, connecting individuals with appropriate care and, when possible, preventing unnecessary involvement in the criminal justice system.
Lopez has worked closely with Texana Center, the local mental health authority serving Colorado and five surrounding counties. Its Mobile Crisis Outreach Team assists with evaluations and crisis intervention, including assessments conducted remotely when necessary.
The partnership helps determine whether an individual needs emergency psychiatric treatment or can be connected with other services.
“We can actually start diverting people from becoming a number within the criminal justice system and give them the help that they need,” Lopez told Texas Community Health News in 2025.
He also emphasized that responding to a mental health crisis often means supporting families as well as the individual experiencing the emergency.
“How can we resolve this situation peacefully without anyone having to have any use of force issues?” Lopez said. “Supporting the family members and providing resources is just such a blessing job.”
The need for specialized mental health services can be particularly challenging in rural communities, where access to treatment facilities and other resources may be limited.
Although other peace officers in Colorado County have held mental health certifications, Lopez was the only deputy serving in a dedicated mental health response role at the time of the 2025 report.
The proposed addition would provide another officer assigned specifically to those responsibilities.
Daniel said the Sheriff’s Office has not yet identified a candidate for the newest position. He estimated that hiring could take three to four months, although delays in obtaining a vehicle and other equipment could extend that timeline.
For now, the donation represents another step toward expanding a program designed to help Colorado County residents receive appropriate care during some of their most difficult moments.
