Damon Burton. (Photo: Facebook)
A transportation officer from the Detroit Reentry Center has become the first Michigan Department of Corrections employee to die of complications from coronavirus.
Officer Damon Burton died Tuesday, according to a post on the Michigan Department of Corrections Honor Guard Facebook page.
"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and coworkers," the post said. "His loss is heart-wrenching and sad."
A friend posted separately that they would "always remember Damon for his quick wit and being one of the fastest runners on 8 Mile."
As of Wednesday night, 26 corrections officers throughout the state had tested positive for coronavirus, an MDOC spokesman said.
More than 150 inmates reportedly are infected across the state's 29 correctional facilities.
