38-year-old South Carolina deputy dies after 2 week battle with coronavirus

A community in South Carolina is mourning the loss of one of their own. Sgt. Mikkos Newman, 38, of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office died after a 2-week battle with coronavirus.

Facebook/Lee County Sheriff’s Office – SC

According to reports, Newman began feeling ill around Memorial Day. He took a test and within days he learned he tested positive for the virus.

“Two days later he called me, he said, ‘Sheriff, they said I got the coronavirus’ and I said, ‘okay Mikkos. You take it easy and we’re going to be here with you,’” Sheriff Daniel Simon said.

But it wasn’t long until Newman contacted Simon again and expressed his fear.

“Sheriff, I’m scared.”

Newman was hospitalized with all the symptoms we have now come to associate with coronavirus, chills, fever, and loss of taste and smell.

Sadly, two weeks after the 38-year-old became ill, he died. He had no known underlying health conditions.

“My phone ring that morning. It was his mother and said Sheriff he didn’t make it and it knocked the daylight out of me,” Simon said. “He was like a son to me and it hurt.”

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office set up a memorial to honor Newman, who was not only an employee for eight years, but a father, brother, son, and friend.

“Mikkos was larger than life, full of laughter and kind to everyone,” Simon said.

“I lost a valuable employee, but not only a valuable employee, I consider myself, I lost a family member that I will never see again.”

Rest in peace, Sgt. Mikkos Newman, and thank you for your service.

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