Second Deputy Dies From Coronavirus In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Just a day ago, the Riverside County sheriff's department announced its first death due to the new coronavirus — a deputy stationed in Murrieta. Now a second deputy has died from complications due to COVID-19.

"We are saddened to announce the death of Deputy David Werksman, most recently assigned to Sheriff’s Admin. Deputy Werksman passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time," the sheriff's department announced Friday morning on its Twitter feed.

Werksman likely contracted the virus while attending a funeral for his mother, according to a press briefing Friday led by Sheriff Chad Bianco.

The disease hit Werksman early and hard. After battling the virus for about two weeks in quarantine at his home, the deputy's condition worsened and he was hospitalized "short of a week" prior to his death, the sheriff said.

Werksman, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff's department, is survived by his wife and three grown children. He died in Corona, according to the sheriff's department.

Bianco, who knew Werksman on a personal level, called the deputy a great father, husband and son.

"He was a great man," Bianco said.

"We ask that the community keep Deputy Werksman's family and colleagues in their prayers during this extremely emotional and challenging time," Riverside Sheriffs' Association President Bill Young said. "His death due to COVID-19 is the latest excruciating loss as a result of the silent killer COVID-19 for our association and the law enforcement community. His death is a grim reminder of the risks that our members face every day, serving the public in the face of this pandemic."

Earlier in his career, Werksman held posts at the Jurupa Valley and Lake Elsinore sheriff's stations, and the Riverside jail, according to Young.

He was later assigned to the department's Hazardous Device Team, becoming an FBI Certified Public Safety Bomb Technician, a HAZMAT specialist and a radiologic/nuclear first responder, among other accomplishments while at the department, Young said.

A procession for Werksman, from the coroner's office in Perris to a mortuary in Riverside, will take place starting at 2 p.m. Friday, the sheriff's department announced.

Werksman's passing comes as the department also grieves the COVID-19-related death Thursday of Deputy Terrell Young and disease outbreak at Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

"It is hard to imagine that just 24 hours ago, our department was in pain due to the COVID-19 death of Deputy Terrell Young. Our members are heartbroken and hurting. Deputy Werksman spent his life serving the community and working to make our Riverside County a better place," said Young, who is not related to the fallen deputy who shared his last name.

Deputy Young, who worked at the Cois Byrd jail, showed signs of illness March 22 after coming into contact with an infected inmate. The 15-year-veteran of the department was a married man of 31 years with four children.

The sheriff described Young as a "fantastic role model" to his kids and a man fellow deputies could "count on for good advice. He was compassionate in dealing with the public and inmates. He was known for his smile and will be deeply missed." Read more: Coronavirus Claims Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy

The sheriff delivered the words about Young during a press briefing Thursday evening at the County Administrative Center in downtown Riverside, where he also announced that 25 sheriff's employees, most of them deputies, and 11 inmates at have tested positive for COVID-19. Twenty-two of the employees work at Cois Byrd.

During Friday's press briefing, the sheriff updated the numbers to include a total of 26 employees and 13 inmates.

In addition to the positive cases among department personnel, there are approximately 30-40 sheriff's employees awaiting test results, Bianco said Friday. Read more: Coronavirus Outbreak At Murrieta Jail: Dozens Sickened, 1 Dead

"As first responders, unfortunately, we can't limit our exposure," Bianco said.

Routine screening has been underway at the jail; the fast disease spread is believed to be isolated at the Murrieta facility, according to the sheriff.

All of the infected inmates are currently receiving medical treatment, according to Bianco. More than 100 Cois Byrd inmates have been been tested for COVID-19; results on 51 of them are still pending, the sheriff said Thursday. Dozens are in quarantine.

On Friday, the sheriff confirmed that Young and Werksman did not have contact with each other.

The sheriff stressed the need for residents to abide by the "stay-home" order and social distancing. Most of the department personnel who contracted COVID-19 got it from people who showed no signs of illness, he warned.

The public should be taking the county health department's warnings about the surge of cases expected in coming weeks very seriously, Bianco urged.

"I think we're in for a huge awakening," he said.

As of Friday morning, the number of countywide COVID-19 cases total 493. The county health department's death toll — 14 — does not include the two deputies' deaths. The figures are expected to be updated today.

RELATED:

• Coronavirus Outbreak At Murrieta Jail: Dozens Sickened, 1 Dead
• Coronavirus Claims Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy

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