Medina County Juvenile Detention Center, Ohio
End of Watch Sunday, October 24, 2021
Add to My HeroesJoshua E. Kristek
Officer Joshua Kristek died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center at 655 Independence Drive in Medina.
Officer Kristek was a United States Army veteran who served three years with the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center. He is survived by his wife and three children.
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 600 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 44
- Tour 3 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsJoshua, we think of you everyday as we walk the halls of the JDC. You are greatly missed by all! Thank you for being such a bright light and bringing so much joy to our lives. Until we meet again!
Assistant Superintendent Megan Millikin
Medina County Juvenile Detention Center
April 13, 2022
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