Two Alameda County Sheriff’s Department Employees Die From COVID-19 Complications in 24 Hours

An Alameda County sheriff's deputy died Thursday evening due to complications from COVID-19, sheriff's officials said.

Deputy Oscar Rocha died at 6:45 p.m.

"He put up a courageous fight to the end and will never be forgotten," according to sheriff's officials.

The sheriff's department said Friday that a second employee, Sheriff’s Technician Valerie Leon, 61, died almost exactly 24 hours later at 6:30 p.m. Friday from COVID complications.

"It is with great sadness we can confirm that a professional non-sworn staff member of our agency has passed away this evening due to COVID-19 complications. This is our second employee to pass away in the past 24 hours due to covid-19," they tweeted.

Leon had been with the department since 1997.

It is with great sadness we can confirm that a professional non-sworn staff member of our agency has passed away this evening due to COVID-19 complications. This is our second employee to pass away in the past 24 hours due to COVID-19 . We will put out further info later.
— Alameda County Sheriff (@ACSOSheriffs) July 25, 2020

It is with tremendous sadness we report Alameda County Deputy Sheriff Oscar Rocha passed away this evening at 6:45pm from complications due to COVID-19. He put up a courageous fight to the end and will never be forgotten. May he rest in eternal peace. EOW 7/23/20.
— Alameda County Sheriff (@ACSOSheriffs) July 24, 2020