Correctional Officer David Henry, Pennington County Sheriff's Office, South Dakota

Correctional Officer David Henry

Pennington County Sheriff's Office, South Dakota

End of Watch Tuesday, September 14, 2021

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David Henry

Correctional Officer David Henry died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Pennington County Jail at 307 Saint Joseph Street in Rapid City.

Officer Henry was a United States Coast Guard veteran who had served with the Pennington County Sheriff's Office for ten years and previously served with the Weber County Sheriff's Office in Utah. He is survived by his wife, son, two daughters, sister, brother, and three grandchildren.

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 59
Tour 11 years
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause COVID19
Incident Date Not available

communicable disease, COVID-19

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Most Recent Reflection

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Thank you, Officer Henry, for your bravery, courage and kindness. I’m sorry that you contracted COVID. It is a terrible death because I lost my mom from COVID the year you passed away. Thank you for all you did and you are a Hero!

Civilian LEO and K9 SUPPORTER Lisa Burto
STATE OF GA LEO & K9 CIVILIAN SUPPORTER

September 13, 2025