Photo for Headline Surfer / Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. James LaRue of the Department of Corrections, shown in this still image provided to Headline Surfer, has passed away due to COVID-19, the SCSO said.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
SANFORD, Fla. -- A sergeant at the jail in Seminole County died early this morning morning due to complications of the coronavirus, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said.
"We are saddened to share news about the passing of Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant James LaRue of the Department of Correction, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said in a prepared statement. "Sgt. LaRue passed away early this morning (November 21, 2020) from complications of COVID-19."
"We are saddened to share news about the passing of Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant James LaRue of the Department of Corrections," Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said in a prepared statement. "Sgt. LaRue passed away early this morning (November 21, 2020) from complications of COVID-19."
Although it is not believed that Sgt. LaRue contracted COVID-19 while working at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office will treat his passing as a Line of Duty Death, consistent with the provisions in the Safeguarding America's First Responders Act of 2020 (S. 3067).
Sgt. LaRue began his service with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 as a Detention Deputy Trainee. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2010.
During his career, LaRue received many recognitions, including a "Live-Saving Award" in 2017.
Additionally, Sgt. LaRue served his country in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1996.
"We ask that you please keep the LaRue family and all of the members of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," the SCSO said in a written statement to the media. "Sgt. LaRue was a beloved member of the agency and will be deeply missed."
COVID-19 has been the biggest cause of death of law enforcement and detention officers this year, with at least 270 deaths resulting from the virus, according to an unofficial count by the Fraternal Order of Police.
Story Posted: Sat, 11/21/2020 - 16:25
Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.