Three employees with the Department of Homeland Security died while working over the past three days — unusual in such a short period of time, even for such a large federal agency.
The three DHS personnel who died while on the job include Michel Kozloski of the Coast Guard, Donna Doss of Border Patrol, and an unnamed male officer from the Transportation Security Administration.
On Thursday, Kozloski, a 35-year-old chief warrant officer, was killed as the result of a crane accident at the Coast Guard buoy yard in Homer, Alaska. Kozloski, originally from Mahopac, N.Y., had been assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Hickory crew.
“It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of a devoted shipmate, husband and father following this tragic accident,” Rear Adm. Matthew Bell Jr., Coast Guard 17th District commander, said in a statement. “Chief Warrant Officer Kozloski faithfully served his country for over 17 years and we are forever grateful for his steadfast devotion to duty and sacrifices.”
On Saturday morning, a TSA officer working at Orlando International Airport died following a fall from a hotel balcony that overlooks security lines at the airport.
TSA said the officer “fell” from the Hyatt Regency Hotel balcony into the atrium of the airport. However, Orlando police said in a statement that the 40-something-year-old man “jumped” and the death appeared to be a suicide. The incident is being investigated by local police.
Hours later, on Saturday evening, a 17-year veteran of the Border Patrol was killed while working in Abilene, Texas. Doss had been helping state and local police on Interstate 20 when she was struck by a vehicle.
DHS did not respond to a request for comment on the deaths.
