Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson on July 31 tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the Florida Sheriff’s Association Summer Conference, which took place July 26-28 in Bonita Springs.
“During the conference, Sheriff Johnson followed CDC Guidelines of practicing social distancing and the utilization of PPE (mask). Just after the Sheriff’s return from the conference, he felt a bit under the weather and decided to proactively test for COVID. The test returned positive,” stated Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Sgt. Rich Aloy.
Per Aloy, the results of the test do not indicate where or how the virus was contracted.
“Our office has had members test positive before the Sheriff’s departure to the conference,” Aloy said. “More importantly, Sheriff Johnson is doing extremely well and is currently quarantined at his residence. We want to share our thoughts and prayers to those members of our Agency who are currently having difficulties with their illnesses.”
According to FSA, the conference is the largest event of the year, providing participants with continuing education opportunities, networking, sharing of best practices, association news, award recognition and important updates in the field of law enforcement. The event attracts representatives from almost every Sheriff’s Office in the state as well as hundreds of partners, vendors, elected officials and others interested in engaging on topics important to the future of law enforcement in Florida.
