Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, Texas
End of Watch Sunday, July 19, 2020
Add to My HeroesJackson M. Pongay
Corrections Officer IV Jackson Pongay died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates at the Lychner State Jail in Humble.
Officer Pongay had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for four years. He is survived by his wife and one child.
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 56
- Tour 4 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Thursday, June 25, 2020
Most Recent Reflection
View all 79 ReflectionsOfficer Pongay, we miss your infectious smile and presence here at Pam Lychner. I've never seen you any other way. It still seems unreal. You are truly missed my dear co-worker and friend.
Admin. Asst II. K. Alcorn
TDCJ - Pam Lychner State Jail
March 11, 2022
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