The Cameron County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Wednesday that one of its staff members, a detention officer with the department, passed away from complications due to COVID-19.
The department reported on Tuesday that both Edward Cantu and a second employee, Sergeant Juan Barron, had been hospitalized.
“We received word that one of our Detention Officers, Edward Cantu, is having a difficult time right now with medical issues. Please keep Edward in your thoughts and prayers, for he is one of us,” wrote the department on Tuesday afternoon.
“We also ask for prayers for Sgt. Juan Barron, who is hospitalized. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery,” the office wrote.
On Tuesday evening, the department received word that Edward Lee Cantu had passed, writing, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Cantu family.”
On Wednesday, Chief Deputy Gus Reyna said the loss of Mr. Cantu is being felt across the entire department.
“On behalf of the Cameron County Sheriff’s office and all of the jail division, we give the family our deepest condolences,” he said.
“It’s something that is affecting all of us at this point, because this young man didn’t pass away because of any kind of an illness. He passed away because of the virus. And for that, it’s a different feeling, because we work for a department where we work as a team. We lost a brother today.”
Reyna said that the department received an update on Sgt. Barron, confirming that his condition had not worsened and that Barron was “doing well”.
