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Donald Raymond Gilreath III
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Donny Gilreath died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty at the Hamilton County Justice Center.
Deputy Gilreath had served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office for 15 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Deputy Sheriff Donald Raymond Gilreath III died on February 12, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 36.
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, three children, and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
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Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Donald is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Deputy Sheriff Gilreath gave the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cincinnati community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Gilreath.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has lost 14 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Donald is one of 49 officers lost to illness in OH, 4.9% of the 993 remembered there.
Donald is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Donald 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 2021, 12 officers in OH were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 22 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 15.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Donald was 36. Of the 49 lost to illness in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 56; the middle age was 36. Donald had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Donald was 36. 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. Donald had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Donald was 36. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Donald had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
February holds 12.2% of these deaths in OH; October holds the most, 22.4%. Fridays: 18.4%.
February holds 6.1% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Fridays: 14.8%.
February holds 6.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 14.9%.
How
Illness deaths account for 14.3% of all 14 deaths at Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 4.9% of all 993 deaths in OH, 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
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office has 14 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
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Albert Russell Oct 14, 1884
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Anna Hart Jul 24, 1916
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Daniel E. Souders
Dec 16, 1932
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Walter Leslie Francis
May 20, 1935
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Fred Sperber
Dec 31, 1942
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Elmore David Pressley Oct 21, 1944
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Emil R. Kleinwaechter
Jul 16, 1962
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Phillip J. Pence
Jun 10, 1984
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Robert L. Mondary
Jun 1, 1989
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Adam S. McMillan
Oct 23, 2020
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Donald Raymond Gilreath, III
Feb 12, 2021
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Marcus Zeigler
May 26, 2023
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Larry Henderson, Jr.
May 2, 2025
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Simon Lawrence Leis Jr.
Jun 27, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Hamilton County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
