2nd detention deputy dies amid COVID-19 outbreak at Lake County jail

A veteran Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy died early Thursday after battling the new coronavirus -- the second deputy assigned to the county jail to fall fatally ill after testing positive for COVID-19.

Richard “Rick” Barry, 58, died at AdventHealth Waterman. He had initially tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, June 16, and had been quarantining himself at home.

A 24-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, Barry’s regular duties at the jail included transporting inmates, spokesman Lt. John Herrell said. His assignment changed when the pandemic caused transport service to stop.

Before his diagnosis, Barry was helping supervise inmates at the jail, Herrell said.

Barry was well-respected by his peers and “was described as a hard-working employee with a great sense of humor who was just always fun to be around,” Herrell wrote in an email.

“The Sheriff’s Office is grateful for his service and is praying for peace and comfort for Barry’s wife, Bria, who is also a detention deputy, their son, Brennan, and all who knew and loved him,” Herrell wrote.

Last month, a 52-year-old jail deputy, Lynn Jones, died at his Orlando home after testing positive for COVID-19. He was a “gentleman,” who loved to cook and cared deeply about people, said Sgt. Fred Jones, another agency spokesman.

Jones and Barry, both master deputies, were among many jail officials who have tested positive for the virus in recent weeks.

Herrell said 28 jail employees and two nurses are currently COVID-19 positive, and 131 inmates also tested positive recently.

tsheets@orlandosentinel.com

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