Special Deputy Marshal Craig Alan Kriner

Special Deputy Marshal Craig Alan Kriner

United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government

End of Watch Saturday, January 23, 2021

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Craig Alan Kriner

Special Deputy Marshal Craig Kriner died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while working at the Wheeling Federal Building and Courthouse on 1125 Chapline Street in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Special Deputy Marshal Kriner was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the United States Marshals Service for eight years. He had previously served with the Wheeling Police Department for 24 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and grandson.

The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.

Bio

Age 66
Tour 32 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause COVID19
Location West Virginia
Incident Date Not available

communicable disease, COVID-19

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Most Recent Reflection

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Sgt. Kriner, as I knew him, was the embodiment of what a police officer should be. Even towards the end of his career he remained passionate about patrol duties. I can still hear him telling me to jiggle the door handles of businesses on night shift and to be in the parking lot of banks around closing time. Sgt. Kriner was never looking for a shortcut or a way to take it easy. Throughout my career I always tell fellow officers about the kind of man Sgt. Kriner was and the impact he had on me. I never got to thank him. I still have all of the old police manuals he gave me because he knew I'd read them no matter how outdated they were.

I've heard it said but never has it been more fitting. They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

Rest easy, Sarge.

Ofc. Sean Sumey
California Borough Police Department

October 3, 2025