JACKSON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Breathitt County Sheriff’s Office has announced the death of a deputy from COVID-19 complications.
Sheriff John Hollan confirmed Deputy Lee Daniel Manns, also known as “LD,” died Saturday night at Hazard ARH Hospital.
According to Sheriff Hollan, Deputy Manns joined the department on January 1st, 2019. Though he was with the department for just under two years, Hollan says he made a major impact.
“He was very dedicated to the citizens of Breathitt County,” Hollan said via Zoom on Sunday afternoon. “He would go up and beyond the call of duty to help anyone he could, in any way.”
Despite taking every precaution, Deputy Manns tested positive for COVID-19 on December 4th, Hollan said. Just over three weeks later, he passed away. He’s survived by his wife Teresa and three children.
“His whole family stood by him, and they’re all together as we speak, trying to get through this,” Hollan said.
Manns’ law enforcement family remembers him as someone who loved his job and helping others.
“When I would talk to him on the phone he would always call me ‘Son,’” Hollan said. “He was a few years older than me, and it made me feel good. I looked up to him and had a lot of respect for Mr. Manns.”
Hollan described Manns as a retired farmer who loved cattle, horses, and the outdoors.
“He loved people, he loved children,” the sheriff said. “His son was getting ready to graduate high school in a few months, I think, and he was looking forward to that. He would talk about it a little bit.”
Their tight-knit department of five is now four, but the sheriff says Manns’ legacy remains.
“He’ll never be forgotten,” he said. “He’ll always be there with us, looking at us, and we know that.”
