Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ken Delano died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Deputy Delano was a United States Coast Guard veteran and had served in law enforcement for 20 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Paul Delano died on April 19, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 54.
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, his mother, four sisters, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqze65zf53x2m14yn3wf- 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 Kenneth. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw, salute.nw — U.S. Coast Guard. One record, 3 gates. Kenneth 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.
Deputy Sheriff Delano gave the Essex County Sheriff's Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tappahannock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Delano.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Kenneth Paul Delano served in the U.S. Coast Guard (1988â1992) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Kenneth is the only officer of Essex County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Kenneth is one of 23 officers lost to illness in VA, 3.5% of the 653 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Kenneth 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, 8 officers in VA 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
Kenneth was 54. Of the 22 lost to illness in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 50 and 64; the middle age was 56.5. Kenneth had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 21.5 years.
Kenneth was 54. 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. Kenneth had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Kenneth was 54. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Kenneth had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
April holds 4.3% of these deaths in VA; January holds the most, 17.4%. Mondays: 17.4%.
April holds 6.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Mondays: 14.2%.
April holds 7.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Essex County Sheriff's Department.
Illness deaths account for 3.5% of all 653 deaths in VA, 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
Kenneth Paul Delano served in the U.S. Coast Guard (1988–1992) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Kenneth Paul Delano’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 58-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Essex County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.