2 Florida Sheriff's Deputies Die From Coronavirus

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Two veteran sheriff's deputies in South Florida have died from the new coronavirus.

"It shakes us up, but we can't allow it to break us," Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said Saturday in announcing the death of Deputy Shannon Bennett.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office later announced the death of Sgt. Jose Diaz Ayala.

"Sgt. Diaz Ayala, 38 years of age, died today as a result of battling COVID-19," the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said. "Sgt. Diaz Ayala was battling other underlying health issues before he contracted COVID-19. We have the watch from here brother."

Bennett, who was 39, had been a school resource officer at Deerfield Deach Elementary School.

"This is a tough time for this organization," Tony explained. "Over the last year we have fought very hard to rebrand and redevelop this organization and Shannon was part of that."

A spokesperson for the Broward Sheriff's Office said Bennett, a 12-year veteran of the agency died late Friday.

"Deputy Bennett left work early on March 23, because he was not feeling well," the spokesperson said. "The next day, he went to the hospital and was tested for COVID-19. On March 27, his test came back positive."

A graduate of Deerfield Beach High School, Bennett was one of 21 BSO employees who tested positive for the virus, according to WPLG-TV.

With for more than half of the state's total cases, Broward County and nearby Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties, are considered to be the epicenter of Florida's coronavirus outbreak.

Bennett is survived by his fiancé, Jonathan Frey; his mother, Barbara Bennett and his brother, Darren Bennett, who worked for 10 years in BSO’s Department of Detention earlier in his career before becoming a campus pastor for Calvary Chapel North Miami.