Procession held for Clay County sheriff’s deputy who lost battle against COVID-19

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Another first responder has died of COVID-19. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office reported Sunday Deputy Clint Seagle lost his battle against the virus.

On Monday afternoon, his teammates escorted him to the Jacksonville Memory Gardens Cemetery.

RELATED: Clay County Sheriff’s Office loses deputy to COVID-19

Seagle had served the community since 2006. A Navy veteran, he served the country for 21 years.

Community members stood by with respect as Seagle’s motorcade made its way to the cemetery.

“It is sad,” an area woman who works in an ICU said. “Just being a first responder, I can see firsthand how it is deadly.”

She faces death day in and day out.

“COVID this time around, I think is worse,” she said.

The community rallied behind Deputy Seagle just over a week ago as he fought for his life at St. Vincent’s in Middleburg.

“I see people dying almost every day, but then I also see people recover,” the first responder told Action News Jax.

Sadly, recovery was not the case for Seagle, a man who put himself in harm’s way to serve his community.

The first responder Action News Jax talked to says if there’s one thing the community can do right now to lessen the risk public servants are put through: cut down on your exposure.

“Only do the essential things that you have to do. Try not to go in large crowds. Try not to go to many places you don’t have to be at,” she said.

Deputy Seagle is now Clay County’s second member of law enforcement to die of the virus, following Sgt. Eric Twisdale’s death earlier in the year.

LINK: Where to get a COVID-19 test in the Jacksonville area

Deputy Seagle becomes the eighth first responder to die of COVID-19 in our area, following Nassau County Deputy Jack Gwynes, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s Sgt. Louis Livatino, Clay County Sgt. Eric Twisdale, JSO Lt. Christopher Cunningham, St. Johns County Deputy Jody Hull, retired Neptune Beach police officer Eddie Bounds and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department’s Lt. Mario Moya.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office says it will send out an update on funeral arrangements in the coming days.

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