Corrections Officer V James Willard Weston, Jr.

Corrections Officer V James Willard Weston, Jr.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, Texas

End of Watch Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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James Willard Weston, Jr.

Corrections Officer V James Weston died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates at the Johnston Unit in Winnsboro, Texas.

Officer Johnston had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 13 years. He is survived by his two sons.


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 13 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Thursday, August 20, 2020

COVID-19, communicable disease

Most Recent Reflection

View all 56 Reflections

Thank you CO Weston for your hard work and dedication and for paying the ultimate sacrifice for the fine folks in the great state of Texas. You are a true American HERO. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends and co-workers. May you forever rest in peace, my brother.

HEROES NEVER DIE...

Sergeant Mitchell G. Cheselka (Retired)
Orange County Sheriff, California
Polk County Sheriff, Oregon

September 27, 2020

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