By Sarah Calams
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A veteran corrections officer died from COVID-19 complications Saturday.
WVMetroNews.com reported that Cpl. Mark Rustemeyer, 58, who worked at the Saint Marys Correctional Center since 1998, is the first state correctional employee to die from COVID-19.
“Please keep Cpl. Rustemeyer, his wife, their family members, loved ones, friends and colleagues in your prayers as we all mourn this terrible loss of a member of our correctional family,” Commissioner Betsy Jividen said. “Special prayers also to Cpl. Rustemeyer’s longtime friends and co-workers at SMCC at this most difficult time.”
There are currently 54 active cases among Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation employees, with a total of 554 positive cases since the pandemic began.