Clay County

Clay County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant dies from COVID-19

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hearts are heavy at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office as the agency mourns the loss of one of their own.

Sergeant Eric Twisdale passed away from COVID-19 complications, according to a CCSO release Wednesday evening. CCSO said his passing is being treated as a line of duty death related to the coronavirus.

Those who knew Sgt. Twisdale, like Rich Zeisel, said he was committed to serving the community.

“He loved his community,” Zeisel said. “He was committed to trying to make it better for everyone that lived here.”

Zeisel said he met Twisdale about five years ago through charity work. He said Twisdale had a huge heart.

“He wanted to give back to his community,” Zeisel said.

Sgt. Twisdale’s law enforcement career stretches more than two decades. He began serving with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in the early ’90s before joining the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in 1998.

Throughout his career, he received several awards including the Lifesaving Award in 2014 for saving a person from drowning.

The CCSO said Sgt. Twisdale was honored as the 2015 Deputy of the Year for helping stop two murder suspects during a high-speed chase through several counties.

The CCSO said Sgt. Twisdale was assigned to the Patrol Division before being transferred to the Detective Division. In 2010, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

At the time he passed away, Sgt. Twisdale was serving as the supervisor of the Crime Scene Unit.

In the release, the CCSO wrote “he will be missed by all of us.”