3rd Correctional Officer Dies Of Coronavirus At Cook County Jail
CHICAGO IL May 15 2020 — A veteran correctional officer at Cook County Jail died Sunday of apparent complications due to coronavirus. Antoine Jones, 51, was diagnosed with the virus in late March. His death came as a shock to his colleagues.
“We mourn the loss of Officer Jones and send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones for the irreplaceable loss of this husband, father, and friend,” the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said in a written statement.
Jones joined the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in 2002. He lived on Chicago[‘s South Side with his wife, whom he leaves along with five adult children. Jones is the third correctional officer to die of COVID-19.
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The sheriff’s office considers his death to be in the line of duty and will be strongly advocating that his family receive all the benefits that designation affords. The family will also receive assistance during their time of grief from sheriff’s peer support staff.
“Correctional staff like Officer Jones are the unseen heroes in the fight against this global pandemic, bravely working to keep their colleagues, detainees, and the public safe from COVID-19,” the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said. “We will honor his memory with our continued fight to confront this insidious and unrelenting disease.”
As of May 11, the Cook County Sheriff reported that 190 detainees have tested positive for coronavirus, with seven being treated at local hospitals. In addition, 344 detainees in custody are no longer positive and are being monitored at a recovery facility at the jail, and 1.109 inmates have tested negative for COVID-19. Seven detainees have died.
Eighty-three correctional officers are positive for COVID-19, as are 32 other Cook County Sheriff’s employees. There are 281 employees who tested positive who are now recovered and have returned to work.
