By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that Volusia County confirms the death of veteran first responder Gerald “Jerry” Jones over the weekend.
A longtime paramedic with Volusia County Emergency Medical Services, Jones passed away Sunday night at Halifax Health Hospital after a battle with COVID-19.
Jones' sister died from the coronavirus the day before, making this a double family tragedy.
“This is a tragic and devastating loss for the county and the entire EMS team throughout Volusia County,” Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald told Headline Surfer. “Jerry was respected and loved by all who knew him. Right now, our focus is on providing help and support to his family in their time of grief.”
“This is a tragic and devastating loss for the county and the entire EMS team throughout Volusia County,” Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald told Headline Surfer. “Jerry was respected and loved by all who knew him. Right now, our focus is on providing help and support to his family in their time of grief.”
Jones, who was 51-years-old, worked for EVC ambulance and then its successor, Volusia County Emergency Medical Services, for 21-plus years, dating back to May 1999, after having served in Desert Storm.
Jones first became ill a week ago, EMS Director Jason Brady said.
"He had a family member who fell ill, and he was exposed to COVID," Brady told the Daytona Beach News-Journal earlier. "Last week, he took a turn for the worse. We are in constant contact with his wife (Emily) and are taking care of any needs at this time."
Sheriff Mike Chitwood posted on his Facebook page that Jones was the brother of Shyla Pennington, who died on Saturday also of COVID-19. Pennington was a teaching assistant in the Volusia County Schools for nearly two decades and most recently at Sugar Mill Elementary in Port Orange.
The school district notified teachers and staff at Sugar Mill on Saturday, and Interim Superintendent Carmen Balgobin spoke with the family.
Since the first day of school in Volusia County, 50 people have tested positive for COVID-19 including 23 staff members. Cases were first reported at Sugar Mill Elementary on Sept. 9.
County Councilwoman Billie Egger Wheeler said on her Facebook page that "words cannot express the sadness felt in the loss of Jerry Jones. Remember his family and loved ones in your prayers, but also remember all of the people on the front lines that put their lives on the line for us each and every day."
Henry Frederick is publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched 12 years ago that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed more than a hundred journalism industry awards in print & online -- more than all other members of the working press combined in Central Florida since the mid-1990s. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism with academic honors from Full Sail University in 2019. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary programs on Discovery ID and Reelz for his investigative reporting and cops & courts breaking news stories.Jones, who was 51-years-old, worked for EVC ambulance and then its successor, Volusia County Emergency Medical Services for 21-plus years, dating back to May 1999.