In Memory of Corporal Charles E. Holt

Texas Corporal Dies from COVID19

It was sad news for Texas authorities to announce the death of another officer who has succumbed to the ravages of coronavirus. Corporal Charles E. Holt, age 36, passed away on September 1, 2020, just five days after receiving a positive diagnosis of COVID19.

Cpl. Holt most likely contracted the illness while working on the booking desk at the Tarrant County Corrections Center. Holt had served as an officer with the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office for over six years.

The coronavirus has hard hit Tarrant County. The pandemic has infected and killed numerous residents. The county began officially counting and tracking cases since March 2020. At this time, there have been 42,070 cases of COVID19 in Tarrant County, including 560 deaths. There are still many infected, but over 36,472 county residents have recovered from the disease.

Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office

Cpl. Holt served his community by choosing a career in law enforcement. He had worked for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office since 2014. While working for the department, he held positions at the intake booking desk and the intelligence team. He gave his life working for the department.

Tarrant County Sheriff Waybourn described Holt’s duties and how he may have contracted the virus on the job. Holt managed the identification process of inmates being booked into the county jail. Each day he came across numerous face-to-face interactions with new inmates. These work activities are likely the point of contact for the virus.

Sheriff Waybourn commented on the loss of a good man who showed up for work each day despite the risks. “He was a hero; he was a noble person that knew all the risk of coming to work, and he still came every day. We are treating this just like it was a line of duty death, of course.”

Officer, 36, Leaves Behind Loved Ones

Corporal Charles E. Holt is survived by his wife and three sons.

Tarrant County Sheriff Bill E. Waybourn wrote this brief statement regarding the loss of one of his officers. “It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office announces the death of Corporal Charles E. Holt. He was diagnosed with COVID on Thursday, August 27, 2020, and lost his battle against the disease on September 1, 2020, at 36.

Corporal Holt began working for TCSO in 2014 and was assigned to the booking division and served on the Intelligence team. He proudly showed up under harsh conditions and performed his duties in a positive and honorable manner. He leaves behind his wife, Moranda, three children, many friends, and TCSO team members. He will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Holt asked we shared the touching moment when she arrived home from the hospital to break the news to her children. They told her, “It’s OK momma, we already know dad has completed his assignment here.” Please keep the family, friends, and coworkers of Corporal Holt in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days.

Funeral arrangements are pending.”

Sheriff Waybourn also tweeted about Holt. “Charles Holt III proudly showed up under tough conditions and performed his duties in a positive and honorable manner.”

ATF Headquarters posted the following tweet regarding the loss of Cpl. Holt. “Our thoughts are with @tarrantcountyso, and the family and friends of Corporal Charles E. Holt, who passed away as the result of contracting COVID-19 while on duty. #LODD #EOW”