Veteran corrections officer dies of COVID-19
CHARLESTON, W.Va. January 6 2021— A state corrections officer being treated for COVID-19 died Saturday.
The state Department of Homeland Security identified the officer as Cpl. Mark Rustemeyer in a Sunday afternoon news release.
Rustemeyer 58, had worked at the Saint Marys Correctional Center in Pleasants County since 1998. He’s the first state correctional employee to die of the virus.
“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 in a statement to DCR staff. “Special prayers also to Cpl. Rustemeyer’s long-time friends and co-workers at SMCC at this most difficult time.”
There are currently 54 active cases of COVID-19 among Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation employees. There have been 554 positive cases since the pandemic began.
