A third member of the Henry County law enforcement community has died of COVID-19 complications this month.

Mike Delay, a telecommunications operator for the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, died of the disease Sunday at Piedmont Newton Hospital, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. The agency did not say when he was diagnosed.

Please join Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett, as we extend our sympathy to the family, friends and co workers of...

Posted by Henry County Sheriff's Office GA on Monday, January 11, 2021

He is the second sheriff’s employee to succumb to COVID-19 this month. Deputy Nicholas Howell, 36, died Jan. 3 and was honored at a funeral last week. Described as a “consummate law enforcement professional,” Howell is survived by his wife and five children.

On Thursday, Henry County police Sgt. David Crumpler died after spending more than a week in the hospital in a medically-induced coma and on a ventilator after being diagnosed with COVID-19. His colleagues said he previously retired from the department, but came back part-time as a training instructor because he loved what he did.

“I feel like Henry County needs to know who you really were,” the police department wrote in a social media post, describing Crumpler as a gentleman, a teacher and a “joy-filled servant.”

Henry County Sheriff Reginald Scandrett was also diagnosed with COVID-19 in early December after attending a statewide training for newly elected sheriffs.

Scandrett’s office said services are being arranged for Delay.

We’re working to learn more.

— Please return to AJC.com for updates.