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.