A 15-year Riverside County Sheriff’s Department veteran assigned to the Murrieta jail died Thursday from coronavirus, while sheriff’s officials confirmed that 23 other deputies and eight inmates are also infected, though it was unclear how many were at the same facility.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of one of our own RSO family members, Deputy Terrell Young,” according to a sheriff’s Twitter post. “Young served this department for 15 (years) and is the first member to succumb to the COVID-19 virus. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Young died Thursday morning, leaving behind a wife and four children. He was the first deputy in the department to test positive for COVID-19.
Deputy Robyn Flores told City News Service that tests verified other members of the department, as well as the eight inmates, are infected. Some of the deputies had reportedly already been placed under home isolation until tests were completed.
Flores would not confirm whether they were all in correctional assignments at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, and the inmates’ placement also was not disclosed.
On Monday, Sheriff Chad Bianco publicly stated that three deputies had tested positive for the virus. Young was among them.
“I have been in touch with his family, and they are requesting privacy at this time,” said Riverside Sheriffs Association President Bill Young, who is no relation to the deceased deputy.
RSA represents nearly 3,000 deputies, District Attorney’s Office investigators and other county law enforcement personnel.
“Our association family, and law enforcement family as a whole, mourns with all of you, and our deepest sympathy and prayers extend to the family of Deputy Terrell Young,” he said. “Please stay safe and take care of one another during these unprecedented, extremely difficult times.”
Young joined the department in 2005 and worked assignments primarily in western Riverside County, providing security at two jails, as well as the courts. He also spent time at the Southwest and Perris sheriff’s stations, according to RSA.
Prior to joining the department, Young worked as an enrollment counselor for California Baptist University in Riverside and National University in Orange County, according to his LinkedIn page. He also worked as an admissions counselor at the University of Phoenix and spent a year as an investment adviser in Orange County.
“We continue to urge everyone that this virus is real, it is deadly, and we should continue to maintain social-distancing as much as possible,” Bill Young said. “Together, we will overcome these challenges and difficult days.”
RSA, in partnership with First Responder Processing, has established a relief fund for Young’s family, with hopes of raising $50,000. Donations can be made via rcdsarelief.firstresponderprocessing.com/.