Florida Sheriff Lieutenant Dies After Battling Coronavirus For Weeks in the Hospital

As coronavirus continues to run rampant in several states, especially Florida, the family of veteran Florida Sheriff’s Lieutenant is mourning the loss of their father, husband, and friend after he succumbed to the virus.

Lt. Aldemar “Al” Rengifo Jr., 47, was a 20-year veteran of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, where he most highlighted as a “true professional” and “Detective of the Year” in 2012.

Most recently, Rengifo was assigned to the Youth and Neighborhood Service Bureau, where he managed the School Resource Office Unit.

But on July 27, Rengifo was hospitalized after testing positive for the virus. Then on Sunday, just weeks later, Rengifo passed away.

“Lt. Rengifo was known for his commitment to agency and community and for his superior communication skills,” the department said in a statement, adding that his supervisor said, “he can be counted on to maintain a calm and professional demeanor the dealing with complex and stressful situations.”

Although it remains unclear if he contracted it while on duty, Rengifo is the second sheriff’s employee to die from COVID this month, and the fourth overall.

According to CNN, Broward has seen some of the highest numbers of recorded cases in Florida, and apparently, hospitals reached capacity last month. As a whole, Florida reported 3,779 new cases on Saturday, while Miami Dade, which is bordered by Broward, saw more than 2,000 deaths to the virus that same day.