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Boyd Wayne Blake
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Boyd Blake died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Deputy Blake had served with the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office for 20 years and had previously served six years with the Proctorville Police Department.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Deputy Sheriff Boyd Wayne Blake died on September 29, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 50.
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, seven children, and one grandchild.
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. Boyd is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Deputy Sheriff Blake gave the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office 26 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ironton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Blake.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Lawrence County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Boyd is one of 49 officers lost to illness in OH, 4.9% of the 993 remembered there.
Boyd is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Boyd 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
Boyd was 50. Of the 49 lost to illness in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 56; the middle age was 36. Boyd had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 10 years.
Boyd was 50. 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. Boyd had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Boyd was 50. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Boyd had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
September holds 6.1% of these deaths in OH; October holds the most, 22.4%. Wednesdays: 12.2%.
September holds 11.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
September holds 9.8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Wednesdays: 13.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd 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
Lawrence County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, Boyd among them.
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
2 officers from Lawrence County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
