Shannon Bennett, an openly gay deputy in the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, was the first law enforcement officer in Florida to die from COVID-19.
Shortly after returning from a St. Patrick's Day trip to Chicago with his fiancé, Jonathan Frey, and two friends, Bennett, 39, left work early on March 23 due to illness.
He texted his brother, Darren, the next day: “Hey bro I’m headed to the Er I can’t breath and can’t finish my sentences,” according to messages his brother posted to Facebook.