Senior Detention Officer Alexander Reginald Pettiway, Jr.

Senior Detention Officer Alexander Reginald Pettiway, Jr.

Durham County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

End of Watch Friday, April 24, 2020

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Alexander Reginald Pettiway, Jr.

Senior Detention Officer Alexander Pettiway died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak at the Durham County Detention Center.

Officer Pettiway had served with the Durham County Sheriff's Office for 23 years. He is survived by his brother and sister.


The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.

Bio

  • Age 55
  • Tour 23 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Monday, April 13, 2020

COVID-19, communicable disease

Most Recent Reflection

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Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always and may God Bless your family and loved ones always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

April 24, 2021

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