Honoring

K9 Byrd

Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas

EOW: Aug. 3, 2021 | Age: 6 | Tour: 2 years

K9 Byrd died of heatstroke when the cooling system in his handler's vehicle failed in Alice, Texas. During his service, K9 Byrd conducted over 131 searches, located over 54 pounds of marijuana, over 54 kilograms of cocaine, 39 grams of heroin, 494 grams of methamphetamine, and $142,000 in currency. K9 Byrd had served with the Texas Highway Patrol for two years and served as a narcotics detector canine. He was the offspring of a prior Texas Department of Public Safety canine.

Honoring

Driver/Engineer David Hackett

Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services, Florida

EOW: Sept. 25, 2021 | Age: 44 | Tour: None

While on duty, Driver/Engineer David Hackett contracted COVID-19 at the fire station. He passed away from the virus on Saturday, September 25, 2021.

Honoring

Fire Chief Randy Miner

Mary Ann Township Fire Department, Ohio

EOW: Sept. 26, 2021 | Age: 57 | Tour: None

On Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, Fire Chief Randy Miner responded to an EMS call with a patient with a known case of COVID-19. He subsequently contracted the virus and passed away on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021.

Honoring

EMT Joseph Zask

Stony Point Ambulance Corps, New York

EOW: Sept. 25, 2021 | Age: None | Tour: None

STONY POINT, N.Y. — The Cornwall, N.Y. Office of Emergency Management has announced the death of Stony Point EMT Joseph (Joey) M. Zask. Zask was found unresponsive while working for Stony Point Ambulance Corps, where he also volunteered. “Joey, affectionately known as ‘chicken wing,’ was disabled in his teenage years following a tragic accident which left him without use of one arm. He felt a calling to service before self, just as those had who rescued him on that fateful day,” the post read. “He joined COVAC in early 2020 to help our community out during the pandemic, contributing hundreds of hours of shift coverage as a driver of rig 325, their only ambulance equipped with a $60k power load stretcher system which permitted a reasonable accommodation for him to fulfill a dire role in the organization. Joey touched many lives in service to our community through his unfaltering energy and determination.” Zask worked for Rockland Mobile Care and was a volunteer EMT in Orange and Rockland counties, Cornwall and Stony Point. He is survived by family in Queens and Long Island. A GoFundMe has been created to help his family with funeral costs. “Joe was the most loving, caring, warm hearted man you could have ever met. He volunteered on the ambulance more hours than I could ever count. He was a part of 2 agency’s currently; Stony Point and Cornwall. In his spare time he ran with the Road Revival Car Club, Tow Trucks for kids of NY, worked for Rockland Mobile Care as a dispatcher, had previously worked for Highway Tow in NYC, and FEMA. As well as so many more. During COVID he was the biggest asset for birthday drive by parades and meet ups. He always wanted to be a part of the bigger picture. Unfortunately and unexpectedly, yesterday we lost one the best people in our lives and all of the people he touched,” the GoFundMe organizer, Lia Papay, wrote. The Stony Point Ambulance Corp. will be holding a memorial service on Sunday, October 3, at 6 p.m. at Stony Point Ambulance Headquarters. A post from the Piermont Fire Department noted “No dress cloths or uniforms are required for both the funeral services and memorial service as per the wishes of the family. Please wear comfortable clothing and a shirt that represents Joey Zask. (Fire, Ems, Law enforcement, Military or Towing shirts).”

Honoring

Sergeant Steven Lee Marshall

Chatsworth Police Department, Georgia

EOW: Sept. 16, 2021 | Age: 34 | Tour: 9 years

Sergeant Steven Marshall died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Sergeant Marshall had served with the Chatsworth Police Department for five years and had served with the Murray County Sheriff’s Office for four years. He is survived by his wife, who is also a police officer, and two children. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Senior Corporal Arnulfo Pargas

Dallas Police Department, Texas

EOW: Sept. 23, 2021 | Age: 53 | Tour: 20 years

Senior Corporal Arnulfo Pargas died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while working on patrol duty. Senior Corporal Pargas had served with the Dallas Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Corporal Charles Wayne Catron

Carroll County Sheriff's Office, Virginia

EOW: Sept. 23, 2021 | Age: 52 | Tour: 13 years

Corporal Charles Catron died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Corporal Catron had served with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years. He is survived by his daughter, two grandchildren, and mother. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Senior Deputy Phillip Barron, Jr.

Victoria County Sheriff's Office, Texas

EOW: Sept. 24, 2021 | Age: 54 | Tour: 33 years

Senior Deputy Phillip Barron Jr. died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while serving as a the School Resource Officer at Liberty Academy, 1110 Sam Houston Drive, Victoria. Deputy Barron had served with the Victoria County Sheriff's Office for eight years. He had previously served with the Victoria Police Department for 25 years. Deputy Baron is survived by his wife and three children. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Locke

Hardin County Sheriff's Department, Tennessee

EOW: Sept. 25, 2021 | Age: 30 | Tour: 7 years

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Locke was shot and killed while assisting other officers during a domestic disturbance at a home in the 3000 block of Nance Bend Road in Clifton. An officer from Clifton Police Department and other deputies contacted the subject who was armed with a gun. As officers were ordering the man to drop the gun as Deputy Locke approached the home. The man suddenly opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Locke. Deputy Locke was transported to a nearby hospital where he died shortly after arrival. The subject fled into a nearby wooded area and was arrested a few hours later by members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He was charged with first-degree murder. Deputy Locke was a Tennessee Army National Guard veteran and had served with the Hardin County Sheriff's Department seven years. He is survived by his wife and child.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Joshua Moyers

Nassau County Sheriff's Office, Florida

EOW: Sept. 26, 2021 | Age: 29 | Tour: 6 years

Deputy Sheriff Joshua Moyers succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while conducting a traffic stop near the intersection of US-301 and Sandy Ford Road. During the traffic stop Deputy Moyers was given a false name by the driver and learned the tags belonged to a different vehicle. As he opened the driver's door to place the man in custody the subject shot Deputy Moyers in the face and back. The man fled the scene over a railroad crossing just as the arms were coming down and a train passed, blocking other deputies from immediately pursuing him. The subject was apprehended five days later. Deputy Sheriff Moyers was transported to UF Health Jacksonville where he remained on life support until September 26th, 2021, so that his organs could be donated. Deputy Sheriff Moyers had served with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office for over six years. He is survived by his fiancée, parents, and brother.

Honoring

Police Officer Gregory Lynn Triplett

Waverly Police Department, Tennessee

EOW: Sept. 26, 2021 | Age: 50 | Tour: 26 years

Police Officer Gregory Triplett died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 during the department's response to a flood that killed 20 people. Officer Triplett had served with the Waverly Police Department for 26 years. He is survived by his wife and five children. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Trooper Eric T. Gunderson

Washington State Patrol, Washington

EOW: Sept. 26, 2021 | Age: 38 | Tour: 15 years

Trooper Eric Gunderson died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while at a training conference in Champions Gate, Florida. Trooper Gunderson was the technology liaison in the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and a member of the SWAT Team. His pioneering work with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) had been chronicled in media stories across the nation. He had traveled around the country representing the Washington State Patrol for UAV usage to shorten the time of road closures during collision investigations. It is on one of these trips that he contracted COVID. Trooper Gunderson had served with Washington State Patrol for 15 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Patrol Officer Howard K. Smith, III

Owasso Police Department, Oklahoma

EOW: Oct. 27, 2021 | Age: 52 | Tour: 26 years

Patrol Officer Howard K. Smith, III died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Officer Smith had served with the Owasso Police Department for 21 years and was an Assistant SWAT Commander. He had served in law enforcement for 26 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Sergeant Joshua Wayne Stewart

Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

EOW: Sept. 27, 2021 | Age: 39 | Tour: 13 years

Sergeant Joshua Stewart died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while at training at 303 Henderson Chapel Road, Pigeon Forge. Sergeant Stewart had served with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and two children. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Sergeant Logan Davis

Iron County Sheriff's Office, Missouri

EOW: Sept. 28, 2021 | Age: 37 | Tour: 13 years

Sergeant Logan Davis died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while performing his duties at the County Jail at 220 S Shepherd Street in Ironton. Sergeant Davis had served with the Iron County Sheriff's Office for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.

Honoring

Sergeant Shad Hammond

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, Texas

EOW: Sept. 13, 2021 | Age: 47 | Tour: 26 years

Sergeant Shad Hammond died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while working a the Clemens Correctional Institution at 11034 Hwy 36 in Brazoria. Sergeant Hammond had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 26 years. He is survived by his wife and two children. Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.