2 ailing Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputies die on same day

PHOENIX – Two longtime deputies with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office died Monday, the agency announced.

Cause of the deaths for Sgt. Ernie Quintero and Detention Officer Kevin Fletcher was not released. But Benjamin Fisk, the head of the Maricopa County Law Enforcement Association, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday both men tested positive for COVID-19 and had been hospitalized.

Quintero was a 25-year veteran assigned to court security, according to an MCSO social media post.

Fletcher, a 15-year veteran, was assigned to the Fourth Avenue Jail in downtown Phoenix.

“Sheriff Paul Penzone and everyone at the Sheriff’s Office extend our deepest sympathy to the Quintero and Fletcher families for their loss,” the office said in the post.

“MCSO will forever be in gratitude of Sergeant Quintero’s and Officer Fletcher’s service and contributions to the agency and our community. Our hearts are heavy today.”

According to a COVID-19 dashboard at Maricopa County’s website as of Sunday, there were 226 active cases of the virus among inmates in county jails.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Luke Forstner contributed to this report.

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