Atlanta

Local deputy, husband die within 3 days of each other after battling COVID-19

ATLANTA — A local sheriff’s deputy and her husband are among the latest victims to die from COVID-19.

According to a GoFundMe account, Lisa and Leroy Johnson died within three days of each other after battling the virus.

They leave behind a 15-year-old son and an adult daughter.

Lisa Johnson had spent 20 years with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office before transferring to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

TRENDING STORIES:

According to the post, the family is having a hard time scheduling funeral services for the couple because of expenses.

“They do not have enough insurance between the two to pay for all funeral expenses. It was told to the adult daughter that a funeral cannot be done without the bills paid in full. This family is in desperate need of whatever donations can you spare as well as prayers,” the GoFundMe post said.

Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb sent a statement, saying:

“It is with a heavy heart that we inform our community that we have lost part of our family with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office. Detention Officer Lisa Anne Johnson passed away on Thursday, September 16, 2021.

“Lisa began service in our Jail Division December 16, 2019. Lisa was previously employed with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office. She was a veteran with a sweet spirit that was full of knowledge, experience and an example to our younger officers. Early in 2020, she made me a custom face mask that was so impressive, I asked if she would make all our employees a mask. She jumped at the chance, always giving in service to her agency and community.

“I have been in contact with Lisa’s family, who has asked us to relay to the media to give the family privacy during this time to allow them to process their loss. Lisa’s family is our priority, hence the reason we have not issued a press release until today. Lisa took care of us and it is our duty to take care of her family. We are working alongside the family to help them transition with issues like Lisa’s employee benefits, honoring her memory at a future service and any other needs we can meet for them.

“Lisa is a great example of someone who serves behind the scenes in our jail and is a hero in a position most do not think about when one thinks of a First Responder. I can tell you without a doubt, our community is a safer place because of a hero like Lisa. Her family, friends and her Sheriff’s Office family will remember how she lived and her commitment to family and her community.”

As of Monday, 21,426 Georgians had died from the virus and nearly 1.2 million people had contracted the virus throughout the state.

If you would like to contribute to the GoFundMe for the Johnsons, CLICK HERE.

IN OTHER NEWS: