Bexar County Sheriff’s officer dies of COVID-19
SAN ANTONIO TX May 1 2020 – A 53-year-old deputy died Thursday morning, before medical officials were even able to tell him he had COVID-19.
According to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Timothy De La Fuente has been assigned to the detention center for about a year. The jail has had a recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases, which led to the BCSO testing everyone within.
Deputy De La Fuente was one of those and was tested Tuesday, when he was not showing any coronavirus symptoms, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar. Salazar said De La Fuente then called in sick Wednesday and Thursday.
According to the sheriff, De La Fuente was scheduled to see a doctor Thursday morning with his wife, but went to the bathroom before leaving the residence.
“He went to restroom, then later his wife found him collapsed and dead,” Salazar said.
Metro Health learned about De La Fuente testing positive for COVID-19 Wednesday night, he was going to be told he was positive Thursday morning.
The couple lived within city limits, so SAPD is handling the case, but is giving the sheriff’s office anything it needs at this time. Salazar said SAFD even transported the deputy to the medical examiners office with honors.
As of 3 p.m., Thursday, Sheriff Salazar said it’s unconfirmed whether COVID-19 killed the deputy, who did have underlying health issues. The medical examiner will provide the test results as soon as possible.
