In Memory of Corrections Deputy II Ralph Edward Serrano
California residents were saddened by the news of the loss of a veteran probation officer due to the COVID19 pandemic. COVID19 has become the number one cause of line of duty deaths among law enforcement across the country. On Monday, January 18, 2021, Corrections Deputy II Ralph Edward Serrano, badge number 2289, passed away due to complications from contracting COVID19. Serrano was 50 years old.
Deputy Serrano most likely contracted the virus at his last assignment. He had been working at the Kearney Mesa Juvenile Facility. The coronavirus has hit many of these confinement facilities only to spread like wildfire. Both juvenile and adult correctional facilities were designed to house as many as possible in a small area. This does not allow for social distancing or good air circulation. All officers who have continued to protect society by keeping these facilities secure are heroes.
Corrections Deputy Serrano wanted to work in civil service. He had touched many lives through his work as a parole officer with the San Diego County Probation Department. Serrano had served with SDCPD for over 18 years.
San Diego County Probation Department
Serrano served with the San Diego County Probation Department. Interim Chief Probation Officer Cesar Escuro currently manages the agency. The department now has more than 1000 sworn officers working on its staff.
The San Diego County Probation Department has several programs that they use to work with offenders. Some of these programs include the Adult Reentry Roadmap, the Family Urgent Response System (FURS), Voting Rights for Californians with Criminal Convictions, and many volunteer programs.
Probation officers often take on additional mentoring, guiding, teaching, employment coach, life coach, and more. These officers want to be sure that offenders stay on the right path to become better citizens, but at the same time help them acknowledge any shortcomings or difficulties so they can remain out of lockup.
Remembrances
Corrections Deputy II Ralph Serrano leaves behind his wife and three children. Residents lined the streets to pay respect to Deputy Serrano during his escort to his final resting place. The Serrano children will join over 130,000 children who have lost a parent or primary caregiver in the US. The community, neighbors, and friends will be the support they need during this challenging time.
The San Diego Probation Department posted details of the loss for residents on their Twitter page. It is with great sadness we report to the death of Correctional Deputy Probation Officer II Ralph Serrano. Officer Serrano passed on Monday, January 18, after complications related to COVID-19. He was an 18-year veteran of our department. He will be deeply missed.
Chief Probation Officer Mark J. Banini of Amador County shared condolences with the San Deigo Department and the Serrano family. “On behalf of @amadorprobation we send our deepest condolences to Correctional Deputy Probation Officer Serrano’s family, friends, and @sdprobation. You are in our thoughts and prayers.”
California Probation Chiefs sympathized with the loss. “Our deepest condolences to all his family, friends, and colleagues. Thank you for your service DPO Serrano; you will be greatly missed.”
The San Diego Probation Association shared in the grief of the loss of Serrano, a local member.” We are saddened to report that on January 18th we lost one of our heroes, Correctional Deputy Probation Officer II Ralph Serrano. He passed due to complications related to COVID-19. Officer Serrano was an 18-year veteran of the #sdprobationdept.”
