By Jake Shapiro
The Denver Post
DENVER — Denver Sheriff Department Deputy James Herrera died Sunday from COVID-19 in what may be the first death linked to the year-long coronavirus outbreak at the Van Cise-Simonet Detention Center.
That outbreak began in April 2020 and has resulted in 1,241 inmates and staff being infected over that time, according to state records.
The 51-year-old had spent 25 years in the department and was assigned to the downtown detention center.
Denver Sheriff FOP Lodge No. 27, the union representing Denver deputies, tweeted that Herrera’s death occurred in the line of duty. It is unknown if Herrera got vaccinated, but he was not required to be.
In a statement, the Denver Sheriff Department said, in part, “We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Herrera contracted the infectious disease in April.
[Learn more about the COs who have died in the line of duty due to COVID-19]
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