Honoring

Corrections Officer IV Jackson Pongay

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, Texas

EOW: July 19, 2020 | Age: 56 | Tour: 4 Years

Corrections Officer IV Jackson Pongay died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates at the Lychner State Jail in Humble. Officer Pongay had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for four years. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff William Garner

Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Georgia

EOW: July 19, 2020 | Age: 53 | Tour: 13 Years

Deputy Sheriff Bill Garner was struck and killed by a vehicle while at the scene of a single-vehicle crash near mile marker 164 on I-85 at about 7:15 pm. He was assisting the occupants of the involved vehicle when another vehicle lost control, entered the median, and struck him. Deputy Garner was transported to St. Mary's Sacred Heart where he succumbed to his injuries. The man driving the vehicle that struck him was charged with homicide by vehicle. Deputy Garner had served with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for one year. He had previously served with the Oconee County Sheriff's Office and the Pendegrass Police Department for over 12 years. He is survived by his wife, parents, and brother.

Honoring

Director N. Kyle Coleman

Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office, Texas

EOW: July 14, 2020 | Age: 69 | Tour: 46 Years

Director Kyle Coleman died after contracting COVID-19 while coordinating the county's emergency response to the pandemic. Director Coleman had served in law enforcement for 46 years. He had retired from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office before joining the Bexar County Fire Marshal's Office, where remained a sworn law enforcement officer and served as the county's director of the Office of Emergency Management. He is survived by his wife and two stepsons. Director Coleman was a highly respected researcher of forgotten line of duty deaths in Texas and surrounding states. He was a regular contributor and researcher for the Officer Down Memorial Page and the Texas Peace Officers' Memorial Foundation. He was personally responsible for the discovery and research of countless line of duty deaths in Texas. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Honoring

Corrections Officer V Jerry Esparza

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, Texas

EOW: July 15, 2020 | Age: 45 | Tour: 25 Years

Corrections Officer V Jerry Esparza died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates at the Jester III Unit in Richmond, Texas. Officer Esparza had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 25 years. He is survived by his wife and four children. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Honoring

Captain Leroy Lucio

Houston Fire Department

EOW: July 20, 2020 | Age: 62 | Tour: None

On July 20, 2020, Captain Leroy Lucio was battling the COVID-19 virus at a local hospital in San Antonio, TX, when he passed away. Captain Lucio contracted the virus from exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.

Honoring

Firefighter Justin Robinson

Haralson County Fire Department

EOW: July 21, 2020 | Age: 50 | Tour: None

On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, Firefighter Justin Robinson was at the scene of a motor vehicle accident performing extrication of injured patients. While at the crash site, he went into cardiac arrest. Crews immediately initiated life saving measures and Firefighter Robinson was transported to the local hospital, where he passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2020.

Honoring

Firefighter/Medic Jason Cuffee

Charleston Fire Department

EOW: July 20, 2020 | Age: 27 | Tour: None

At approximately 2330hrs., on Sunday, July 19, 2020, Firefighter/Medic Jason Cuffee was working at the Charleston Fire Department, Station 3. When he failed to respond to a call, his co-workers became concerned and went to check on him. They found Firefighter/Medic Cuffee unresponsive. They immediately performed CPR, and was then transported to the hospital where Firefighter/Medic Cuffee was pronounced deceased in the early morning hours of Monday, July 20, 2020. The cause of his death has not yet been determined. May you be at rest.