Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputy Dies From COVID-19

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An Alameda County Sheriff’s deputy has died after battling COVID-19.

Oscar Rocha, 57, died Thursday from complications of the coronavirus. He had been in the ICU in critical condition for several weeks.

It is with tremendous sadness we report Alameda County Deputy Sheriff Oscar Rocha passed away this evening at 6:45pm from complications due to COVID-19. He put up a courageous fight to the end and will never be forgotten. May he rest in eternal peace. EOW 7/23/20.

— Alameda County Sheriff (@ACSOSheriffs) July 24, 2020

Rocha is a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office who worked at the Rene C. Davidson courthouse in Oakland and the Santa Rita Jail.

"We believe this is an on duty related injury, that during the course of his duties at the court and at the jail, it’s likely - and we know he was around numerous individuals who had COVID," said sheriff’s office spokesperson Sgt. Ray Kelly.

More than 100 people at the Santa Rita Jail have contracted the virus.

"He was a vibrant person," said Kelly. "Oscar worked at our courthouse...where he was well known down there by all of the judges and attorneys and prosecutors and law enforcement and community members who went in and out of that building."

Rocha was married to his high school sweetheart with whom he had four children.

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