Honoring

Deputy Sheriff William K. Nichols

DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, Mississippi

EOW: July 22, 2020 | Age: 33 | Tour: 10 Years

Deputy Sheriff William Nichols drowned while attempting to save his son from a rip current near Sandestin, Walton County, Florida. He was able to get his son to safety but was swept back away from shore. His body was recovered a short time later. Deputy Nichols had served with the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office for 10 years and served as the agency's Search and Rescue director. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Oscar W. Rocha

Alameda County Sheriff's Office, California

EOW: July 23, 2020 | Age: 57 | Tour: 25 Years

Deputy Sheriff Oscar Rocha died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, California. He remained on a ventilator for approximately one month before passing away. Deputy Rocha had served with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office for 25 years and was planning on retiring in January 2021. He is survived by his wife, son, two stepchildren, and parents. 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 Dylan Pickle

Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Mississippi

EOW: July 26, 2020 | Age: 24 | Tour: None

Deputy Sheriff Dylan Pickle was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting a safety checkpoint on Hamilton Road near Seely Drive. He and several other deputies were conducting the checkpoint when a vehicle struck him and a second deputy at about 9:45 pm. Both deputies were transported to a hospital in Tupelo where Deputy Pickle succumbed to his injuries shortly after midnight. Deputy Pickle was a Mississippi National Guard Veteran.

Honoring

Corrections Officer IV Ruben Martinez

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, Texas

EOW: July 26, 2020 | Age: 48 | Tour: 2 Years

Corrections Officer IV Ruben Martinez died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates at the Lopez State Jail. Officer Martinez had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for two year. He is survived by his three 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

Corrections Officer V Eric Johnson

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division, Texas

EOW: July 27, 2020 | Age: 37 | Tour: 18 Years

Corrections Officer V Eric Johnson died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates at the Byrd Unit in Huntsville, Texas. Officer Johnson had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 18 years. He is survived by his wife, four children, and parents. His wife, father, and stepmother also work for the agency. 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.