SHERIFF’S OFFICE LOSES EMPLOYEE
IN AFGHANISTAN
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 — The Cook County Sheriff’s Office was informed today of the death of Derwin Williams, a correctional officer who was assigned to work as a drill instructor at the Cook County Boot Camp.
Williams, who had been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2006, was serving his second deployment in Afghanistan when the truck he was in hit an IED, sometime in the last week. He was in the Army National Guard and scheduled to return home in August. Williams, 41, of Glenwood is survived by his wife, Felicia, and five children.
In honor of Officer Williams, flags will be flown at half-staff and bunting will be hung Wednesday at the Boot Camp.
“Although Derwin Williams was with the Sheriff’s Office for a short time, his kindness and soft spoken manner had a great impact on everyone here,” Sheriff Dart said. “He will be greatly missed and the thoughts and prayers of the entire Sheriff’s Office go out to his family.”
Williams is the second Sheriff’s Office employee to lose his life while serving with the National Guard. Correctional Officer Jason Vazquez died last September; he had been in Afghanistan for only a month.
