In email, Sheriff Javier Salazar calls legal filing ‘reprehensible,’ ‘insulting’ to memory of Deputy Timothy De La Fuente

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SAN ANTONIO – More than two years after her husband became the first Bexar County Sheriff’s deputy to die of complications from COVID-19, Pauline Pezina De La Fuente continues a drawn out legal battle for his county death benefits.

While the county has repeatedly honored the memory of Deputy Timothy De La Fuente publicly, his widow’s claim for benefits was denied.

Twice last year, an administrative judge sided with Pezina De La Fuente, forcing the county, a self-insured entity, to cover the $1,922 cost to cremate De La Fuente’s remains and to pay his widow weekly death benefits.

The county, according to court records made public earlier this year, appealed both rulings.

In the first instance, an appeals panel reversed the decision and sent the case back for a second contested hearing.

After the administrative judge in late September again ruled that Pezina De La Fuente was entitled to death benefits and reimbursement for cremation costs, the county again appealed the case.

In late January, the county filed suit against Pezina De La Fuente in state district court, asking a judge to reverse the administrative judge’s and second appeals’ panel rulings.

Pezina De La Fuente, 70, said if she’s stripped of the benefits, which amount to less than $4,000 a month, she will be forced to re-enter the workforce.

“The...

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