Essex County correction officer dies of complications from COVID-19

SAUGUS, Mass — The Essex County Sheriff’s Department has announced the “line-of-duty death” of one of its correction officers, due to COVID-19.

Officer Anthony J. Pasquarello, 37, was a 15-year veteran of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department.

Pasquarello was from Saugus. In a statement, Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger said Pasquarello died December 9, 2021 “of complications from COVID-19.”

Sheriff Coppinger told Boston 25 that Officer Pasquarello was not vaccinated, and that the message from the officer’s family was for people to get vaccinated. The family plans to be part of a candlelight vigil Friday afternoon.

Coppinger announced a vaccine mandate for all of his employees in late November. The mandate takes effect on January 4. 2022.

“Officer Pasquarello was a courageous, dedicated member of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department who served with great distinction, and we are simply devastated by his passing. His service to our Department, as well as the good people of Essex County, will always be honored and remembered,” Sheriff Coppinger said. “We pray for his family during this very difficult time, as well as for his brothers and sisters at the Essex County Sheriff’s Department who are in great mourning over his passing.”

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department was joined by Massachusetts State Police and local police departments at Lahey Clinic in Burlington Friday to escort the body of Officer Pasquarello to the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Avenue, Wakefield.

Officer Pasquarello’s family will join members of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department for a candlelight vigil in his honor Friday at 4 p.m. at the Essex County Jail and House of Correction, 20 Manning Avenue, Middleton.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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