The devastating impact of COVID-19 has hit the Department of Corrections at home as one of their own succumbed to complications related to the virus.
DOC Director Joe Carbullido said: “It’s a sad day here at the Department of Corrections as a senior Corrections officer died from complications related to COVID. I was very saddened by the news when I was notified because I personally know him not just as an officer but as a friend.”
Sources have confirmed that the officer is Glenn Martinez. Family and friends shared their sympathies on social media.
The officer was one of the recent COVID positives reported by the department.
Carbullido says he wasn’t assigned to the posts where the outbreak occurred but he did assist in filling the gaps in manpower.
“I know that he was everywhere. This guy is a very hardworking officer, he helps wherever he is needed. He’s very dependable and well-liked within the front lines. So again I want to express my sadness and condolences to the family. I’m making arrangements with our command staff to see what we can do to honor him, of course taking the ongoing pandemic into considerations,” Carbullido said.
Carbullido is preparing to personally deliver the sad news to his officers and reassuring them that they are in this together.
“It’s a very sad occasion that we had to lose one of ours during this COVID times. But we have to move on. This is the job we chose to do. And we still have a job to do. We need to protect everyone else that’s here,” Carbullido said.
DOC has since confirmed Martinez’s identity, sharing he worked for the department for 23 years. His death marks the 108th COVID-related fatality on island.
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