Dallas County DA Susan Hawk quits post to focus on mental health

DALLAS, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The top prosecutor in Dallas County submitted her resignation on Tuesday in an effort, she said, to focus more on her mental health.

District Attorney Susan Hawk, who was elected to the post in November 2014, said in a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott that she wanted to give undivided attention to her bout with depression -- a fight that has led her to seek in-patient treatment more than once since she took office.

"It is with a heavy heart that I must tender my resignation as Dallas County District Attorney," she wrote in the letter. "It's been an honor and a privilege to serve this office and the citizens of Dallas County, but my health needs my undivided attention."

Hawk said last year that she had been fighting a "serious episode of depression," but was optimistic that it would not ultimately interfere with her duties.

"More than my words can express, I appreciate the grace I've been shown as I've tried to balance my health and my duties," she continued. "I believe our office is making a difference and I want to continue that good work. But last fall upon returning from treatment, I made a commitment to step away from the office if I felt I could no longer do my job, and unfortunately I've reached that point."

Hawk listed several accomplishments that she achieved during her tenure in the letter.

Video: WFAA-TV

"The office is running better than ever, and it's my hope that this team can stay together and move forward seamlessly with a new leader," she said.

Hawk's resignation came less than a week after Dallas Police Department chief David Brown made a surprise announcement of his own that he will retire.

It wasn't immediately clear who will replace Hawk as Dallas County district attorney.

Dallas County DA Letter Of Resignation by Ktvt Web on Scribd