COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Franklin County sheriff’s deputy who died of COVID-19 complications was honored at a funeral in Columbus Friday as a man who dedicated his life to service.

What You Need To Know

• Deputy Bill Ihrig died due to COVID-19 complications


• A traditional ceremony was held in Columbus Friday


• He was a Marine for 13 years before becoming a sheriff 

Deputy Bill Ihrig, 52, died on Oct. 28, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said. He is at least the fourth Columbus-area first responder to succumb to the virus in the past two months.

Ihrig was a U.S. Marine before becoming a sheriff’s deputy in 2004. Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Ballas Baldwin told reporters Friday that Ihrig started in corrections, moved to the detective bureau and spent the last several years working in patrol. 

“He served 17 years with us and 13 years in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to that, so a good example of a guy who wants to serve his communities and his nation. And he did it. He did it in the face of danger — multiple different dangers that they face daily,” Baldwin said. 

Veteran Columbus firefighter Frank Duff Jr., 66, died on Sept. 19 after contracting the virus during a shift in August. Greg Bauer, 56, who was also with the Columbus Division of Fire, died on Oct. 18. James Strozyk, 49, a Columbus police officer, died on Oct. 13. Authorities have not released the vaccination status of any of the four men.

A procession of Franklin County sheriff’s deputy vehicles and other first responder agency cars arrived at Union Cemetery shortly after noon, followed by more than a dozen family cars. 

During the ceremony, about 50 deputies stood to the west side of the casket, and held a salute to their colleague. As part of the traditional ceremony, seven men performed a rifle salute, firing blank cartridges three times. 

Ihrig was also honored with the playing of Taps, a riderless horse, a flag presentation and an end of watch call with a moment of silence over dispatch radio. 

On Thursday, family, friends and coworkers gathered at a funeral home, where Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Car 12 was parked empty outside.

Baldwin said sheriff’s deputies have been on the frontline since the pandemic began, facing danger from the virus. 

“This was tragic because it’s an enemy you can’t even see, but he was still out there doing his job,” Baldwin said. “Their duty doesn't quit — pandemic, whatever the danger is that comes out there, they continue to go in daily and face whatever they need to, and they do it to serve the community and to serve others.”

Baldwin said it is a testament to his character that first responders from so many agencies came to pay their respects Friday.