Search fatalities

On November 17, 2021, 47-year-old corrections officer Rhonda Jean Russell was fatally shot by an Altoona Police Department officer at Central Court, located at 615 Fourth Street, Altoona, Pennsylvania. Christopher James Aikens, a 54-year-old inmate from Blair County Jail, was at the courthouse for a scheduled hearing when he allegedly assaulted Officer Russell and took her firearm. In response, an Altoona police officer fired a single round at Aikens but accidentally struck and killed Officer Russell by friendly fire. The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incident.

1. https://www.wtaj.com/news/local-news/blair-county-corrections-officer-shot-and-killed-in-altoona/
2. https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/corrections-officer-shot-altoona-courthouse/UGX5FFQIVJHQZAZ3P7K6F2JDFE/

On 11/17/2021, New Jersey Department of Corrections Senior Correctional Police Officer Daniel Richard Krupa died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26639-senior-correctional-police-officer-daniel-richard-krupa

On 11/17/2021, Blair County corrections officer Rhonda Jean Russell was shot and killed after an inmate attacked her and took her firearm in a holding area at the Central Court building at 615 Fourth Street in Altoona while awaiting a hearing. A police sergeant attempting to stop the inmate fired but struck Russell during the struggle. She was taken to UPMC Altoona, where she died.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25715-corrections-officer-rhonda-jean-russell

On 11/16/2021, Norwich Police Lieutenant Josip Peperni died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26392-lieutenant-josip-peperni

On 11/16/2021, Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Daniel Allen Stainbrook died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26095-special-agent-daniel-allen-stainbrook

On 11/15/2021, Beloit Police Officer Daniel J. Daly died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He had served with the Beloit Police Department for many years prior to his death.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25895-police-officer-daniel-j-daly

On 11/14/2021, 44-year-old Chris Zamora — a 20-year veteran of the Long Beach Police Department, known for his work in gang detail and diversion programs — was found dead in his vehicle in the parking lot of the LBPD East Division substation at 3800 E Willow Street. The department characterized the death as an apparent suicide. Zamora had been credited with initiating outreach programs for youth and gang prevention, and his death was the fourth suicides by department members in just over four years, prompting renewed concern about officer wellness.

https://lbpost.com/news/lbpd-suicide-willow-street-east-division-police/
https://lbpost.com/news/chris-zamora-obituary-suicide-lead-diversion/

On 11/14/2021, Texas Department of Criminal Justice parole officer trainee Ty’Isha R. Harper died after a prolonged hospitalization for COVID-19 contracted during training. She tested positive on September 7, 2021, was hospitalized the next day in Nacogdoches, later placed in intensive care, and remained there until her death.

https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/connections/-articles/2021/20211115_TDCJ_Mourns_Loss_of_Tyisha_R_Harper.html

On 11/13/2021, Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael D. Chandler was shot while performing a welfare check at a vacant home in the 2500 block of Orr Street. He was struck during the encounter and later died from his injuries.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25705-police-officer-michael-d-chandler

On 11/12/2021, 23-year-old Officer Mitchell William Winters of the Mesa Police Department died by suicide. The department announced his death on November 16, 2021, and confirmed that he was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had served four years before joining the department. Officials expressed deep sorrow over his passing and extended condolences to his family.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/mesa-police-officer-dies-from-apparent-suicide-department-says
https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/mental-health-struggles-common-among-law-enforcement-officers

On 11/10/2021, Chicopee Police Detective Michael J. Dion suffered a fatal heart attack while working a traffic assignment at 60 Fuller Road in Chicopee. He had moved heavy barricades during the road-closure detail before collapsing and was transported to a hospital, where he later died. He served 39 years with the Chicopee Police Department and was the department’s longest-serving officer.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/reflections/25700-detective-michael-j-dion/25

On 11/10/2021, retired NYPD Police Officer Lawrence J. Prehn died from cancer linked to his assignment to search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the September 11 attacks.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26515-police-officer-lawrence-j-prehn

On 11/09/2021, Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer Michael J. Deem was struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 10 near Chandler Boulevard while assisting a trooper during a traffic stop. He had exited his patrol vehicle and was outside when a passing vehicle hit him.

https://www.azcentral.com/obituaries/par054520

On 11/09/2021, Bunnell Police Sergeant Dominic Eugene Guida suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in a multi-agency field force training exercise at the Relay Fire Tower in Bunnell. He collapsed during the training while wearing a gas mask and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25735-sergeant-dominic-eugene-guida

On 11/08/2021, Jackson County Deputy Lena Nicole Marshall died from gunshot wounds sustained three days earlier while responding to a domestic disturbance call at 6416 Highway 124 in Hoschton. Authorities said deputies confronted a woman at the residence who opened fire, striking Marshall; another deputy returned fire and killed the shooter.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25687-deputy-sheriff-lena-nicole-marshall

On 11/08/2021, Henry County Police Officer Paramhans Dineshchandra Desai died from gunshot wounds sustained November 4 while responding to a domestic violence call on Floresta Drive in McDonough. He remained hospitalized in critical condition until his death with family present.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25688-police-officer-paramhans-dineshchandra-desai

On 11/07/2021, Lander County Sheriff’s Corporal Ignacio Javier Romero died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty while serving in Battle Mountain.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25779-corporal-ignacio-javier-romero

On 11/07/2021, Columbia County Deputy Sheriff Bernard Roberts died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He had served with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years and was survived by his wife and six children.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/reflections/25843-deputy-sheriff-bernard-roberts

On 11/06/2021, Robinson Township Police Sergeant Scott Michael Patton died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He had served with the Robinson Township Police Department for 11 years.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25693-sergeant-scott-michael-patton

On 11/05/2021, Fresno County Correctional Officer Juan Cruz Jr. died from complications after contracting COVID-19 while working at the Fresno County Correctional Facility at 1225 M Street. He had been hospitalized since October after becoming ill and was a longtime correctional officer with more than two decades in the field.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25737-correctional-officer-juan-cruz-jr

On 11/05/2021, Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Anibal A. “Tony” Perez died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty while assigned to the Ajo Station in the Tucson Sector. His death was reviewed and determined to have occurred in the line of duty.

https://www.cbp.gov/about/in-memoriam/anibal-perez

On 11/04/2021, ICE Deportation Officer Rosa Elisa Vasquez died from complications after contracting COVID-19 while serving at the Laredo Field Office at 109 Shiloh Drive in Laredo.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/reflections/26039-deportation-officer-rosa-elisa-vasquez

On 11/04/2021, Memphis Police Lieutenant Michael Lewis Hill died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He had served with the Memphis Police Department for 33 years.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26011-lieutenant-michael-lewis-hill

On 11/04/2021, Kingsville Police Senior Patrolman Sherman Otto Benys Jr. died from gunshot wounds sustained three days earlier while responding to a domestic disturbance call in the 300 block of South Wanda Drive in Kingsville. He was shot during the response and transported to a Corpus Christi hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25674-senior-patrolman-sherman-otto-benys-jr

On 11/03/2021, Waller County Deputy Sheriff John Edward Moon died from complications of COVID-19 contracted while working a detention assignment guarding a COVID-19 positive individual. He served with the Waller County Sheriff’s Office for over two decades, beginning his career in 1998 in detentions before advancing through patrol and investigations roles and later serving as a supervisor. After previously leaving the agency, he returned and was sworn in again earlier in 2021. He died at age 48 at his home in Brookshire.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25694-deputy-sheriff-john-edward-moon
https://www.schmidtfunerals.com/obituaries/deputy-john-deputy-john
https://www.odmp.org/search/incident/covid-19

On 11/03/2021, Taos Ski Valley Police Chief Sam J. Trujillo died from complications after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/reflections/26493-chief-of-police-sam-j-trujillo

On 11/03/2021, Iowa Department of Corrections Officer Richard William Newkirk died from complications after contracting COVID-19 while serving in the line of duty.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25880-correctional-officer-richard-william-newkirk

On 11/02/2021, Dallas Police Officer Scott Paul Harn died from complications related to COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty. The exposure occurred while performing his official duties during the pandemic. Harn served with the Dallas Police Department for over 32 years and was most recently assigned to the Open Records Unit. He was 58 years old and is survived by his wife and son.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25849-police-officer-scott-harn
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-officer-scott-harn-dies-of-covid-19-complications-police-say/287-2b37e2be-920b-47ac-b00e-c3e0af9f9287

On 11/02/2021, Lufkin Police Officer Randy Stallard died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty. He had recently retired from the department in July 2021 after a long career and was working as a school resource officer at the time of his illness. Stallard was a Navy veteran, cancer survivor, and longtime community officer known for his work with children and training younger officers. He died at age 56.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26116-police-officer-randy-stallard
https://www.ktre.com/2021/11/02/retired-lufkin-police-officer-dies-after-battle-with-covid-19/
https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/east-texas-police-officer-dies-after-battle-with-covid-19/501-4acdb290-3e39-49bf-b02a-3a3f140c0b12

On 11/02/2021, Pittsburgh Police Sergeant Timothy Werner died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty. He was entering his 22nd year with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and had served in Zones 4 and 5 before being assigned as a supervisor in the property room at police headquarters. He died at UPMC Mercy Hospital at age 49. Werner was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had spent more than two decades with the department.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25677-sergeant-timothy-earl-werner
https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/pittsburgh-police-sergeant-dies-after-complications-covid-19/4N4JZS4LQJAIJKF72FHVKP4NUA/
https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-police-sgt-timothy-werner-covid-19-complication-death/

On 11/02/2021, Texas Department of Criminal Justice Corrections Officer V. Kevin Dupree died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus while assigned to the Powledge Correctional Unit in Palestine. He had served with the agency for 28 years and was also a United States Air Force veteran. Dupree worked in a custodial environment with close, continuous contact with incarcerated populations during the pandemic. He died at age 66 and is survived by his two children.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25698-corrections-officer-v-kevin-dupree

On 11/02/2021, retired NYPD Detective Sergeant Gary Taccone died from cancer linked to his assignment to search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the September 11 attacks.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/reflections/25703-detective-sergeant-gary-taccone

On 11/01/2021, Kent County Deputy Sheriff David Cook died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus while performing his duties at the county correctional facility located at 701 Ball Avenue NE in Grand Rapids. He had served with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office for over 20 years and worked in a custodial environment with sustained exposure during the pandemic. He died at age 52 after being hospitalized with the illness.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25806-deputy-sheriff-david-cook
https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/hundreds-honor-kent-co-deputy-cook-during-rockford-funeral-procession/69-9f67bbd7-2e4d-4ddb-80dc-9b7cc4ee84d6

On 10/31/2021, Lakewood Police Captain Joseph William Goertz died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty. He had served with the Lakewood Police Department since 1998, rising through the ranks from patrol officer to sergeant, lieutenant, and captain, eventually serving in both patrol command and administrative roles. Before his law enforcement career, he was a professional bowler and remained well known in the local community. He died at age 60 at his home in Whiting. He is survived by his wife and four children.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26637-captain-joseph-william-goertz
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lakewood-nj/joseph-goertz-10428142
https://nj1015.com/amazing-lakewood-nj-cop-former-pro-bowler-dies-suddenly/

On 10/31/2021, Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Officer Joshua P. Micun died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty. He was hospitalized at Crozer Chester Medical Center in Upland, where he died at age 37. Micun had served with multiple departments including Aston Police, Upper Providence Police, and Delaware County Park Police before joining Westtown-East Goshen, where he was named Officer of the Year in 2019. He was also a volunteer firefighter and active in his community. He is survived by his wife and two children.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26429-police-officer-joshua-p-micun
https://msbfh.com/tribute/details/1980/Joshua-Micun/obituary.html

On 10/30/2021, Ider Police Chief Buddy Ray Crabtree died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty. He had been hospitalized for several weeks, first at Highlands Medical Center before being transferred to CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, where he died. Crabtree served approximately 10 years with the Ider Police Department and was widely known in the small community for his constant presence at schools, local events, and daily patrol work. He was described by local officials and family as deeply involved in the town and especially focused on children’s safety and community relationships.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25710-police-chief-buddy-ray-crabtree
https://www.waff.com/2021/11/02/ider-mayor-remembers-police-chief-buddy-crabtree-who-died-covid-19/
https://newschannel9.com/news/coronavirus/alabama-chief-dies-of-covid-19-regretted-vaccine-choice

On 10/28/2021, Franklin County Deputy Sheriff Billy Joe Ihrig died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty while working in a custodial environment. He had served with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for 17 years and previously served 13 years in the United States Marine Corps. Ihrig was 52 years old and died at his home in Hilliard. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and extended family.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26630-deputy-sheriff-billy-joe-ihrig
https://www.tiddfuneralservice.com/obituaries/billy-ihrig
https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/ceremony-honors-franklin-county-deputy-passed-from-covid-19-complications/530-a70cb2f3-3f65-4d99-8da7-5a84b8870da9

On 10/28/2021, New Hampshire State Police Staff Sergeant Jesse Sherrill was killed while working a nighttime traffic detail at a road construction project on Interstate 95 in Portsmouth. A tractor-trailer struck his marked cruiser at the work zone, causing fatal injuries. Sherrill was transported to a hospital where he died shortly after. He was 44 years old and had served approximately 20 years with the New Hampshire State Police. He was a longtime member of the department, a father of two, and was active in his community, including coaching youth sports.

https://www.nhsp.dos.nh.gov/about-us/in-memoriam/staff-sergeant-jesse-e-sherrill
https://www.odmp.org/officer/25653-staff-sergeant-jesse-sherrill
https://www.concordmonitor.com/2021/11/04/state-trooper-remembered-as-humble-caring-family-man-43375446/

On 10/28/2021, Perth Amboy Police Lieutenant David Formeza died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty. He died at his home in Perth Amboy. Formeza was a lifelong resident of the city and had served approximately 18 to 19 years with the department, including time assigned to patrol and the SWAT team. He worked nightshift patrol and was widely described by local officials and colleagues as deeply connected to the community. He was 46 years old.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25681-lieutenant-david-formeza
https://www.flynnfuneral.com/obituary/lt-david-formeza
https://nj1015.com/highly-regarded-cop-in-perth-amboy-nj-dies-of-covid-19/

On 10/28/2021, Senior Officer Mathew Leslie Lyons died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus in the line of duty. He served with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, for over 12 years and was the Port Director at the Port of Whitlash in Montana. His role required continuous contact in an active border environment during the pandemic. He was 48 years old and is survived by his son, daughter, and sister.

https://www.odmp.org/officer/25718-senior-officer-mathew-leslie-lyons