Two sheriffs deputies who worked at Denver jails will have their coronavirus deaths considered to be in the line of duty, Sheriff Elias Diggins said late Thursday.

James Herrera was the first Denver Sheriff’s Department (DPD) deputy to die as a result of COVID-19 on May 16. Daniel “Duke” Trujillo died on Wednesday just 10 days later.

“Line of Duty Deaths” extends certain rights and benefits including:

• Departmentally appointed liaison to the family
• Hospital watch by deputies or other public safety departments such as police, fire, sheriff.
• Departmental escort from the hospital to the funeral service provider
• Casket watch by deputies or other public safety departments. 
• Honor Guard/full honors at funeral services and entombment/interment.
• Benefits as recognized in the Collective Bargaining Agreement to include:
  • Funeral costs
  • Medical and dental insurance for survivors
• Permanent inscription on the agency’s Fallen Officers’ Memorial 

Additional line of duty death determinations will be made separate by the City’s Risk Managment Department and individual life insurance providers, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.

According to state data, there has been an active COVID-19 outbreak in the detention center since April 30. At least 107 of the detention center’s staff members and 1,154 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19.

Herrera, 51, was a 25-year veteran of the department.

Trujillo, 33, a former Marine was with the organization for seven years and had recently been appointed vice president of the Denver Sheriff Latino Organization. He is survived by his wife and three-year-old son, according to a GoFundMe page set up for his family.

Prior to Trujillo’s death, he shared anti-vaccination sentiment on his personal Facebook page.

On May 7, he added a banner to his profile picture of a Boulder Police Department badge, reading “I have an immune system.” Two weeks prior, another frame reading, “I don’t care if you’ve had your vaccine” was posted on his page.