Kelvin Wilcher

Photograph of Kelvin, obtained from Officer Down Memorial Page.

From Sweeney, Texas, Kelvin Wilcher was a dedicated member of the United States Navy, husband, and loving father to two children. Kelvin studied human services at Springfield College in Massachusetts and attended Lone Star College in Texas. He was a passionate person who worked as a corrections officer at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) before he tragically passed away on April 6th. 

Members at the TDCJ remember Kelvin for his warm smile. On Kelvin’s passing, TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier commented, “The thoughts and prayers of the entire Texas Department of Criminal Justice are with the Wilcher family...To lose a loved one unexpectedly is a tragic experience for anyone and the TDCJ family extends its sympathy and sends strength to get through this difficult time.”

Kelvin may or may not have contracted COVID-19 during his shift at the Estelle Unit in Huntsville, Texas. He was admitted to a nearby hospital on April 1st and tested positive for the virus on April 4th. He passed away shortly afterwards on April 6th, at only 49 years old. Kelvin’s death preempted a wave shortly afterwards of 13 people incarcerated in Estelle dying from COVID-19. All those who knew Kelvin will remember and honor his service and will miss him for years to come. May he rest in peace.

This memorial was written by MOL team member Claire Lee with information from reporting by Erika Fernandez of KBTX, information from Kelvin’s Facebook, and information from Officer Down Memorial Page.