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Incident
Reserve Deputy James Hirtzel died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Jackson County Fair at 476 East County Road in Brownstown.
Deputy Hirtzel was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for 32 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Reserve Deputy James Richard Hirtzel died on October 12, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 55.
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, daughter, and stepson.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp4smpcwv6myk56dsd79- 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. Air Force. One record, 3 gates. James is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Reserve Deputy Hirtzel gave the Jackson County Sheriff's Office 32 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brownstown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Reserve Deputy Hirtzel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James Richard Hirtzel served in the U.S. Air Force (1985â1988) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
James is the only officer of Jackson County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
James is one of 13 officers lost to illness in IN, 2.6% of the 503 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 2021, 5 officers in IN were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
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
James was 55. Of the 13 lost to illness in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 56; the middle age was 51. James had served 32 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
James was 55. 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 32 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
James was 55. 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 32 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
October holds 15.4% of these deaths in IN; June holds the most, 23.1%. Tuesdays: 15.4%.
October holds 14.9% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
October holds 12.6% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
Illness deaths account for 2.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 4th 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
Military Service
James Richard Hirtzel served in the U.S. Air Force (1985–1988) before joining law enforcement.
Visit James Richard Hirtzel’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jackson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.