Tragic Toll: Sixth Pima County Jail Officer Dies in Just Eight Months

Brayan Torres, a 20-year-old corrections officer from Nogales, tragically drowned at Patagonia Lake on July 24 while enjoying a day off with family and friends. Torres, who served with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department for over a year, became the sixth officer from the department to pass away in the last eight months, with causes of death ranging from accidental drowning to suicide and cancer.

Lt. Heather Lappin, who is contending against incumbent Sheriff Chris Nanos in the upcoming election, expressed the emotional toll these losses have taken on colleagues. “It’s just been surreal,” Lappin remarked, highlighting the close relationships formed among staff members. Lappin oversees the Wellness Division of the Sheriff’s Department, established last year to provide counseling and support to employees facing these tragic events.

Sheriff Nanos noted the department’s heightened focus on the well-being of its staff. “We’re going to need a wellness team for our wellness team,” he said, reflecting on the frequency of recent tragedies. While the department has only recently begun tracking the deaths of corrections officers, Nanos acknowledged that the current figures appear to be abnormal.

According to Nanos, the Pima County Adult Detention Complex employs around 423 corrections officers who oversee a population of approximately 1,600 inmates. Despite having achieved full staffing levels at the authorized rate, he admitted that recruitment and retention continue to pose significant challenges, exacerbated by a poignant history of high turnover rates. Last year, he revealed that the department lost nearly 30% of its officers within a single year.

Research underscores the unique struggles faced by corrections officers, who experience elevated levels of both physical and mental health issues compared to other professions. A study conducted in New Jersey indicated that corrections officers are twice as likely to commit suicide as police officers, and significantly more susceptible to various health complications, including high blood pressure and heart disease.

In terms of statistics, Arizona leads the nation with the highest concentration of corrections officers, employing over 13,260 in the state. The average hourly wage for these positions hovers around $26.12. Nanos pointed out the societal perception of the occupation, stating, “How many people say, ‘Oh, I want to be a corrections officer when I grow up?’” highlighting the challenging nature of the role.