Fresno County sheriff’s detective, 44, dies after being diagnosed with COVID-19
A 20-year veteran of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office who was diagnosed with the coronavirus shortly after returning from a job-related trip has died, the department announced Tuesday night.
Jose Mora, a homicide detective, died Monday at Community Regional Medical Center. He was 44.
It marks the 13th line of duty death since the Sheriff’s Office was established in 1856.
“Jose was a workhorse,” homicide Det. Jon Alvarado said. “He was someone our homicide unit could always depend on to conduct a thorough investigation and get justice for the victim’s family. His cheerful attitude and strong work ethic will be greatly missed at our department.”
Mora and other detectives traveled out-of-state in August, following leads in an ongoing homicide investigation, sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said.
After returning home, Mora felt sick and was later admitted to the hospital.
Tests revealed Mora was positive for COVID-19 and he had spent the next several weeks in the hospital.
Mora started his law enforcement career on March 30, 2000, with the Firebaugh Police before joining the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office on July 19, 2004.
His other duties had included the jail, courts, patrol and as a detective investigating robbery and property crimes. For the past five years, he was working in the homicide unit.
Mora is survived by his wife and four children who are between the ages of 17 and 27.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 9:16 PM.
