Prev
Incident
Sergeant James LaRue died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in a presumed exposure.
Sergeant LaRue was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office for 21 years and was assigned to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Sergeant James Scott LaRue died on November 21, 2020 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 48.
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 wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp2c50wb857mqh6ts46v- Stewardship
- 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 James. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw, salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 3 gates. James is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Sergeant LaRue gave the Seminole County Sheriff's Office 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sanford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant LaRue.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Scott LaRue served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Seminole County Sheriff's Office has lost 8 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
James is one of 81 officers lost to illness in FL, 8% of the 1,007 remembered there.
James is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
James 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 2020, 15 officers in FL were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 11 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 55.
In 2020, 346 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2020, 347 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
James was 48. Of the 79 lost to illness in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 53; the middle age was 48. James had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 16.5 years.
James was 48. 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. James had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
James was 48. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. James had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
November holds 1.2% of these deaths in FL; August holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 23.5%.
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
November holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 12.5% of all 8 deaths at Seminole County Sheriff's Office, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, 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.
His people
Seminole County Sheriff's Office has 8 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Military Service
James Scott LaRue served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Scott LaRue’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Seminole County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
