WACO, TX — A McLennan County Sheriff's deputy who worked at the county tax office has died after a battle with COVID-19.
Sheriff Parnell McNamara says Deputy Chris Smith, 59, died Monday after being admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 complications last week.
Smith, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, entered the hospital Wednesday and was immediately put on a ventilator, according to Sheriff McNamara.
"That's the scary part," Sheriff McNamara said. "It was all so quick. We are heartbroken."
Deputy Smith worked for the Waco Police Department for 27 years and the McLennan Sheriff's Office for 2 1/2 years.
"He was a good and faithful employee and it's a big loss," Sheriff McNamara said. "Thirty years in law enforcement with all that danger you're involved in and for this to happen? It's sad."
Sheriff McNamara says he does not know where Smith contracted the virus.
