Holly MatkinBexar County, TX – Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Detention Cadet Kevin Reaux died in the line of duty Nov. 29 after he suffered a medical emergency during training.
The 59-year-old detention cadet was participating in physical exercise training at the BCSO’s training academy when he began experiencing shortness of breath, KSAT reported.
Detention Cadet Reaux took a break to rest, but his symptoms advanced to the point he lost consciousness.
Academy instructors immediately called for medical assistance and began rendering first aid, KSAT reported.
Detention Cadet Reaux was rushed to Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His exact cause of death was determined to be cardiovascular disease, according to the medical examiner.
Detention Cadet Reaux was ecstatic about his new job, his longtime friend, Lisa Gibson, told WOAI.
“This man was just trying to make a living,” Gibson said. “He wanted to serve his community.”
He passed away on his very first day of training.
“The loss of Cadet Kevin Reaux is heartbreaking, especially given the fact that he lost his life at the start of his new career with the Sheriff’s Office,” Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said in a statement to KSAT. “Although I only spoke to him briefly while welcoming his new cadet class yesterday, his honorable character was shown by his willingness to serve our community.”
“We ask for your thoughts and prayers for his blood family and his family in blue,” Sheriff Reaux added.
Detention Cadet Reaux leaves behind his two daughters and two grandchildren, according to a fundraising page established to help his family in the wake of their loss.
Donors have contributed more than $3,700 to the fund so far.
Kevin Reaux died a couple days ago training to become a Bexar County Sheriffs Office detention officer. We talked to people who knew him to find out why he was special. Catch my story at 5 today on @News4SA pic.twitter.com/SesnwI3DJj
— Jim Lefko (@jimlefko) December 1, 2021
Kevin Reaux wanted to work for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, although at the age of 59 he was one of the oldest cadets. He died Monday on the first day of training. We talk to his friends about what drove him to pursue a career in law enforcement. Details at 5 on @News4SA pic.twitter.com/4QTbE7qFCb
— Jim Lefko (@jimlefko) December 1, 2021
https://t.co/LOMY4lerb3 if y’all would please retweet this it would help a lot. His passing was so sudden and his family could use some help.
— CFG Hyper1on210 (@CFG_Hyper1on210) December 1, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Detention Cadet Kevin Reaux, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
