In Memory of Deputy Sheriff Clay Livingston

Colorado residents were saddened to hear that a local deputy had died in the line of duty due to the current COVID19 pandemic. On Friday, December 3, 2021, Deputy Sheriff Clay Livingston, badge number 1906, died due to complications from the virus. This death is the fourth Colorado officer to die in 2021 due to COVID19. Deputy Livingston passed away on the morning of his 30th birthday.

COVID19 has become the number one cause of line of duty deaths for law enforcement across the globe. Hundreds of officers in the US have fallen victim to the virus. As a result, federal legislation was put forth to help protect families from the financial burden if an officer dies from COVID19 while on active duty.

In Elbert County, Livingston is the third civil servant to die from the virus in the past ten days. The county also lost its deputy coroner, William Graeff, and the head of the Elizabeth Board of Trustees, Bret Wade. The community is reeling from the number of losses.

Livingston began his career in civil service. After high school graduation, he served his country by joining the military. Livingston was a US Marine Corps veteran who had done two tours of duty. After leaving the Marines and returning to civilian life, Livingston wanted to continue a life of civil service. He joined the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, where he has been a sworn deputy for the past two years. He was assigned to work the Patrol Division.

Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado

Livingston chose to serve with the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office. Elbert County is a sparsely populated area in the state of Colorado. The ECSO serves a population of just over 26,000 residents. The county seat is Kiowa; however, the largest small town in the county is Elizabeth.

Jurisdiction for the ECSO covers 1,854 square miles. The department works tirelessly to improve the quality of life for its residents. Dispatch handles approximately 14,000 calls per year. In addition, the agency is responsible for patrols, criminal investigation, civil service, courtroom security, and management of the Elbert County Jail.

Remembrances

Deputy Sheriff Clay Livingston leaves behind his wife and two young children. The Livingston children will join the hundreds of thousands of US children who have lost a parent or primary caregiver to the COVID19 virus. Support groups need to be formed in these communities to help grieving families. Livingston will receive full honors at his service for his tireless giving to his country and community.

Elbert County Sheriff Tim Norton described the hard-working deputy. “Clay will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a dedicated public servant and worked honorably to help make Elbert County a safer community. He was a valuable member of our Sheriff’s Office family, and we are heartbroken by his loss.”

County Commission Chair Chris Richards also mourns the loss of such a positive young man. “The entire Elbert County organization joins Sheriff Norton and the department in mourning the loss of Deputy Livingston. We will keep those close to Clay in our thoughts and prayers this holiday season.”

Resident Ann G. Coontz shared her thoughts on so much loss for the county to suffer. “More heartbreaking news. So much loss in the last few weeks. Rest In Peace to this special man. I met him once when he was there for someone when they experienced a loss of a family member. A very kind man. Thank you to our men in blue that have been there for us through all these tragedies.”