In Memory of Corporal Gregory Campbell
On Saturday, September 18, 2021, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office received the tragic news that one of their officers had died due to the COVID19 pandemic. The virus has become the number one cause of line of duty deaths among all law enforcement agencies.
Corporal Gregory Campbell, age 54, died due to complications of the virus. He had served with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for more than 14 years. He began working for the agency in 2007. Over his years with the agency, he was well-respected and a leader, often getting accommodations and promotions for his hard work. In April of this year, he had been promoted to Corporal and assigned to work at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
COVID19 has ravaged many departments, and the overall toll of the hundreds of officers lost in our country will lead to fewer available services in the future. Hundreds of officers have died in the US due to the virus. The US mandate was made to protect the families of these fallen officers. Active-duty officers who die from the virus will be given the line of duty death status so their families can receive the full death benefits offered by departments.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office addressed the public and their other employees about the safety measures needed to prevent the spread of the virus. “On behalf of Sheriff Roundtree and the entire Sheriff’s Office, we offer our prayers and condolences to the family of Cpl. Campbell. We want to remind all of our employees and the public to continue to wash your hands, wear a mask, and practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of this virus, which has taken another life of one of our own.”
COVID19 related deaths among law enforcement officers have been increasing. It is the leading cause of line of duty deaths among law enforcement officers. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, or NLEOMF, which tracks and studies the causes of fatalities among law enforcement for 2020, announced that the pandemic took more officers’ lives than during 9/11.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia
Corporal Gregory Campbell dedicated 14 years of his life to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia. He was a family man and a community leader. Campbell worked to serve his community to provide a place of safety and prosperity, where everyone had an opportunity to thrive.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office requires that their officers wear a mask when in public. At one time in 2020, the department had 64 employees test positive for COVID19. Campbell is the second officer in this department to die from the virus.
Remembrances
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office addressed the public and their other employees about the safety measures needed to prevent the spread of the virus. “On behalf of Sheriff Roundtree and the entire Sheriff’s Office, we offer our prayers and condolences to the family of Cpl. Campbell. We want to remind all of our employees and the public to continue to wash your hands, wear a mask, and practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of this virus, which has taken another life of one of our own.”
Steve Wightman from The Big Shout Out shared in the announcements of the lost officer to COVID19. “Honoring Richmond County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office Corporal Gregory Campbell, died September 18, 2021, after contracting COVID-19 while working at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. Honor him, so he is not forgotten.”
