TUMWATER — A corrections officer who once worked at Clallam Bay Correctional Center has died of complications of COVID-19, the state Department of Corrections announced.
Corrections Officer David A. Christensen, 62, died Tuesday, the department said Wednesday.
“Our hearts go out to Officer Christensen’s grieving family and honor the sacrifice they have made,” said Stephen Sinclair, Secretary of Corrections.
“It is a tragedy to lose a member of our public safety community and correctional family.”
Christensen had worked for the Department since May 2020 after having previously served from 2015-2017 at the Clallam Bay and Stafford Creek corrections centers.
Christensen had a long career in corrections and criminal justice, working over the years for the Oregon Department of Corrections, Grays Harbor County Jail, Aberdeen Police Department and the Grays Harbor County Juvenile Department.
“I personally knew Dave for several years and he always impressed me with his leadership skills and his desire to support his fellow officers,” said Ron Haynes, superintendent at Stafford Creek Corrections Center.
“Dave was a good man and will be missed by all of us who had the honor of working with and knowing him.”
The department will review Christensen’s death as a possible line of duty death.
