Code Enforcement Officer Adam Arbogast died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Officer Arbogast had served with the Parsons Police Department for one year. He is survived by his 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.
Police Officer Henry Laxson was shot and killed as he and other officers responded to a domestic violence and shooting call in the 3600 block of Jervis Court in Rex at about 8:40 pm. The first officers to arrive on scene encountered a 12-year-old boy who had been shot in the face. Despite his injuries, the boy was able to lead officers to his house. As the officers approached the house, a man opened fire from inside before retreating inside toward the back of the home. Officer Laxson, along with other members of the Tactical Unit, were approaching the home from the rear when they encountered the man at the rear of the house. The man opened fire a second time, fatally wounding Officer Laxson and wounding another officer. Despite their wounds, the officers were able to return fire and kill the subject. Both officers were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where Officer Laxson succumbed to his wounds. Officer Laxson had been recognized as the Clayton County Police Department's Officer of the Quarter in October 2020. He is survived by his wife.
Constable Skip Nicholson was shot and killed while he and the Wilcox County Sheriff's Office chief deputy responded to a domestic disturbance call on Shamburger Road in Yellow Bluff at about 5:00 pm. A woman had reported that her estranged husband had threatened to kill her and had left to retrieve a firearm. As Constable Nicholson and the chief deputy arrived at the home they encountered the man, who opened fire and shot both deputies. Despite being wounded, the chief deputy returned fire and killed the subject. Constable Nicholson was flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, where he succumbed to his wounds. Constable Nicholson had served in law enforcement in Wilcox County for 40 years, having served as a reserve deputy, a full-time deputy, and an elected constable. He had previously been shot in the line of duty while responding to a call for service in the 1990s while serving with the Wilcox County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife, two sons, daughter, and eight grandchildren.
Detective Antonio Valentine was killed in a vehicle crash near the intersection of Chambers Road and Crete Drive, in Bellefontaine Neighbors, at about 3:00 pm. He and his partner were responding to assist fellow narcotics unit detectives when a suspect fled from them. The fleeing suspect crashed into Detective Valentine's vehicle head-on at a high rate of speed. Detective Valintine and his partner were transported to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where Detective Valentine succumbed to his injuries. The suspect driving the other vehicle, who had a violent criminal history, was also killed in the crash. Detective Valentine was a United States Army combat veteran and had retired from the Air Force Reserves. He had served with the St. Louis County Police Department for 14 years. He is survived by his four children. Detective Valentine's uncle is a police officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Deputy Sheriff Clay Livingston died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Deputy Livingston was a United States Marine Corps veteran. He had served with the Elbert County Sheriff's Office for two years and was assigned to the Patrol Division. He is survived by his wife and two young 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.
Police Officer Richard Houston was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance in the parking lot of a grocery store at 1500 S Beltline Road. During the investigation, a man produced a gun and opened fire on Officer Houston at about 1:40 pm. Both Officer Houston and the subject were critically wounded in the exchange of gunfire. Officer Houston was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Officer Houston had served with the Mesquite Police Department for 21 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and one son. His father had served with the Mesquite Police Department.
On Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, Lieutenant Darin Dean Pasold responded to a motor vehicle accident where he came in contact with the accident victim. He subsequently contracted COVID-19 and passed away on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.
On Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, Assistant Chief Ross Darren Estabrooks responded to a residential fire. While at the scene, he suffered a heart attack. He was immediately transported to the local hospital where he passed away a short time later.
On Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, Lieutenant Garrett Edward Ramos responded to a residential fire. While at the scene, he fell through the first floor into the basement. He was immediately rushed to the hospital where he passed away from his injuries on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Investigation into the incident is ongoing. Lieutenant Garrett Edward Ramos was posthumously promoted to Captain.
On Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, Probationary Firefighter Vincent Malveaux suffered a medical emergency during morning training at the FDNY Training Academy. He was immediately transported to Harlem Hospital where he passed away on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.
On Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, Fire Chief Wesley “Wes” Adams was at the scene of a multi-vehicle accident on Highway 63 when he was hit by a passing car. He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Jonesboro where he passed away from his injuries on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021.
FDNY EMS Assistant Chief Alvin Suriel, a lifelong lifesaver who helped oversee the department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic died Tuesday following a short battle with an aggressive 9/11 cancer, the FDNY said. He was 52. Suriel was a 32-year veteran of EMS, joining as an emergency medical technician in 1989, before the agency’s merger with the FDNY. Quickly moving up the ranks, Suriel was promoted to assistant chief in 2019 and served as the department’s chief of field operations, where he helped supervise 4,600 EMTs, paramedics, EMS officers, and civilian employees.
Disclaimer:
This information is supplied by the Officer Down Memorial Page (www.odmp.org) and the U.S. Fire Administration (www.apps.usfa.fema.gov).
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