After 2-Month Battle With COVID-19, Deputy Dies: Sarasota County Sheriff

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — After a two-month battle with COVID-19, a deputy with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has died.

Patrol Deputy Joshua Welge died Thursday morning, the sheriff’s office shared in a Facebook post. He served his final shift with the agency Aug. 19.

“Over the course of several weeks, Deputy Welge courageously fought COVID-19 with the support of his family and coworkers,” the sheriff’s office said.

Welge joined the agency in 1999 as a corrections deputy before becoming law enforcement certified.

He served with the Venice Police Department from 2001 to 2007 before rejoining the ranks of the sheriff’s office in 2007.

“Like so many first responders who have lost their life to COVID-19, Deputy Welge’s passing is recognized as a line of duty death,” the sheriff’s office said. “At this time, we appreciate our community’s respect for the Welge family’s privacy.”

The agency will include details about funeral arrangements as they become available.