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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Brian Norton died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while arresting a subject for aggravated battery, aggravated intimidation, resisting a peace officer, obstructing justice, and obstructing service of civil process who was COVID-19 positive.
Deputy Norton had served with the Ford County Sheriff’s Office for two years and in law enforcement for 10 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Deputy Sheriff Brian J. Norton died on February 5, 2022 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 45.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his father, brother, and girlfriend.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Brian. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Brian is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Deputy Sheriff Norton gave the Ford County Sheriff's Office 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Paxton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Norton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Brian is the only officer of Ford County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Brian is one of 66 officers lost to illness in IL, 5% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Brian is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Brian is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 7 officers in IL were lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 2022, 135 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2022, 140 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Brian was 45. Of the 66 lost to illness in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 51; the middle age was 45.5. Brian had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 13.2 years.
Brian was 45. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Brian had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Brian was 45. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Brian had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in IL; January holds the most, 19.7%. Saturdays: 18.2%.
February holds 6.1% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
February holds 6.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ford County Sheriff's Office.
Illness deaths account for 5% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Ford County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.