Corrections Officer IV Taiwo Caroline Obele

Corrections Officer IV Taiwo Caroline Obele

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, Texas

End of Watch Tuesday, February 16, 2021

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Taiwo Caroline Obele

Corrections Officer IV Taiwo Obele died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among employees and inmates at the Beto Unit in Palestine, Texas.

Officer Obele had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for two years.


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 68
  • Tour 2 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Sunday, January 31, 2021

COVID-19, communicable disease

Most Recent Reflection

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I am sorry for your loss to the Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

Retired Fire Lieutenant Frank J Corasan
Baltimore City Fire Department

July 17, 2021

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