Burlington County Corrections Officer Dies Due To Coronavirus

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — A corrections officer in Burlington County has died after testing positive for new coronavirus, according to the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association. The union representing correctional officers in the county has reportedly filed a complaint seeker greater protections for officers amid the pandemic.

Maria Gibbs is the third corrections officer in the state who has died due to coronavirus. She died on April 20, according to May Funeral Home.

Corrections officers Nelson Perdomo, of Middlesex County, and Bernard Waddell, of Hudson County, each died earlier this month after testing positive for the coronavirus.

“Correctional Police Officer Maria Gibbs Served the New Jersey Department of Corrections with Dignity and Honor,” NJ PBA Local 105 said in a post on social media. “This tragic death from this disease have left our hearts broken. Our thought and prayers are with her family and her extended blue family.”

"The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office extends is deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Maria Gibbs, who was a Burlington County resident," the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Gibbs was a married mother of two in her 40s, according to nj.com. She had been on a ventilator, and ultimately died of kidney failure related to the coronavirus.

“I can’t stay home. I’m a correctional officer,” Gibbs had written in a social media post on March 29. Friends commented on her post, saying they were praying for her safety, and asking her to “please take care.”

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Services for Gibbs will take place on April 29, according to the PBA. They will meet up at noon at Willingboro High School, 2.5 miles from the funeral home. Further details about her service have not yet been made public.

“We intend to drive by the funeral home ‪at 1 p.m.,‬ as soon as the family services has concluded,” the PBA said in a post. “We ask that when you arrive you stay in your vehicles. Please be safe and continue to keep OFC. Gibbs’ family in your prayers.”

Gibbs was a married mother of two in her 40s, according to nj.com. She had been on a ventilator, and ultimately died of kidney failure related to the coronavirus. Her husband has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, but is not yet showing symptoms.

The Burlington County Corrections Officers Union has filed three complaints with the state after nine corrections officers in the county tested positive for the coronavirus. Officers were told to wear surgical masks for two consecutive 12-hour shifts, despite an ample supply of masks being available. The Centers for Disease Control has said masks should be thrown out after a single use, and coronavirus can live on the masks for up to seven days.

On Thursday night, the union and Burlington County officials announced the issues had been resolved. The resolution was based upon an agreement that all officers will be provided a new protective surgical mask for every shift they are required to work.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Freeholders have continuously endeavored to protect the health and safety of the correctional police officers, as well as the inmates within the Detention Center," Burlington County Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson said. "Although the County and the County Health Department have been frustrated in obtaining delivery of surgical masks which had already been ordered and paid for due to federal government impoundment, we will be receiving a delivery of masks within the next few days. The freeholders will continue to take all actions necessary to protect the correctional officers and inmates within the BCDC, as well as all Burlington County residents, during these difficult times in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“PBA Local #249 is pleased with the resolution of this issue," PBA President LeRoy Handberry said. "Make no mistake about it, correctional police officers walk the toughest 'beat' in the State of New Jersey and no other group of sworn law enforcement officers has exposed themselves to this virus in the interest of protecting the public than correctional police officers. Out of concern for protecting our county and state’s citizens, our officers have performed and will continue to perform at a highly professional and exemplary level during this crisis. We are pleased that the freeholders recognize the importance of providing our officers with the proper personal protective equipment required to not only protect us from the COVID-19 virus, but also to protect and safeguard our families as well.”

Both Hopson and Handberry confirmed that the Freeholders and PBA Local #249 will continue to work cooperatively to continue to ensure and protect the health and safety of the correctional police officers.

A total of 427 state prison workers and 92 inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Sixteen inmates have died due to the disease. The site doesn’t list the number of employees who have died after testing positive for the virus.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know