Honoring

Patrolman Sean E. VanDenberg

Lawrence Township Police Department, Ohio

EOW: Dec. 25, 2021 | Age: 54 | Tour: 8 years

Patrolman Sean VanDenberg died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 from arresting and transporting a COVID-19 positive suspect to jail after serving a warrant at a home in the at 15400 block of Wooster Street NW in North Lawrence. Patrolman VanDenberg had served with the Lawrence Township Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife, four children, and two grandchildren. 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 Stacy Annette Murrow

Linn County Sheriff's Office, Kansas

EOW: Dec. 27, 2021 | Age: 49 | Tour: 22 years

Sergeant Stacy Murrow died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Sergeant Murrow had served with the Linn County Sheriff's Office for 22 years. She is survived by her wife, daughter, sister, and brother. 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 Jeffrey Turner

Pontotoc Police Department, Mississippi

EOW: Dec. 27, 2021 | Age: 57 | Tour: 18 years

Sergeant Jeff Turner died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Sergeant Turner had served with the Pontotoc Police Department for three years and had previously served 15 years with the Sherman Police Department. He is survived by his wife, son, 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

Sergeant Christopher Mortensen

Wilkes-Barre Police Department, Pennsylvania

EOW: Dec. 27, 2021 | Age: 45 | Tour: 20 years

Sergeant Christopher Mortensen died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Sergeant Mortensen had served with the Wilkes-Barre Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and son. 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 Miguel Eladio "Mike" Sanchez

Amarillo Police Department, Texas

EOW: Dec. 27, 2021 | Age: 45 | Tour: 16 years

Corporal Mike Sanchez died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Corporal Sanchez had served with the Amarillo Police Department for 16 years. He is survived by his wife, five children, mother, and brother. 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 James Dement

Friendswood Police Department, Texas

EOW: Dec. 27, 2021 | Age: 57 | Tour: 22 years

Sergeant James Dement died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Sergeant Dement had served with the Friendswood Police Department for 22 years. 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

Corrections Officer Sterling David Heinbaugh, Jr.

Franklin County Jail, Pennsylvania

EOW: Dec. 28, 2021 | Age: 58 | Tour: 21 years

Corrections Officer Sterling Heinbaugh died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while supervising inmates at the Franklin County Jail at 1804 Opportunity Avenue in Chambersburg. Officer Heinbaugh had served with the Franklin County Jail for 1-1/2 years and had previously served in Maryland for 20 years. He is survived by his companion, three children, and two grandchildren. 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 Sean Riley

Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Illinois

EOW: Dec. 29, 2021 | Age: None | Tour: None

Deputy Sheriff Sean Riley was shot and killed after responding to assist a motorist near mile marker 115 on I-64 at about 5:00 am. Another officer responding to back him up found him suffering from fatal gunshot wounds and his patrol car was missing. The subject later abandoned the patrol car on I-64 before fleeing to St. Peters, Missouri, where he carjacked and shot a citizen. The man then abandoned the vehicle before stealing another vehicle and returning to Illinois. He was taken into custody in the early afternoon. Deputy Riley is survived by his wife and three children.

Honoring

Sergeant Marlene Roberta Rittmanic

Bradley Police Department, Illinois

EOW: Dec. 30, 2021 | Age: 49 | Tour: 21 years

Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic was shot and killed as she and another officer investigated a noise complaint at the Comfort Inn at 1500 Illinois 50. The officers had responded to the motel at approximately 9:30 pm to investigate reports of barking dogs that were left unattended in a vehicle. They located the room where the vehicle's owner was staying and contacted the occupants. During the encounter, the occupants attacked and shot both officers. Sergeant Rittmanic and the other officer were transported to a local hospital in serious condition. Sergeant Rittmanic succumbed to her wounds shortly after midnight. The occupants fled the motel and were arrested approximately 36 hours after a multi-state manhunt. Sergeant Rittmanic had served with the Bradley Police Department for 14 years and had previously served with the Iroquois County Sheriff's Office for seven years. She is survived by her wife, father, five sisters, and one brother.

Honoring

Police Officer Shane Bartek

Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio

EOW: None | Age: 25 | Tour: None

Police Officer Shane Bartek was shot and killed while attempting to take action when a woman attempted to carjack him in the 4300 block of Rock River Drive. The woman approached him in the parking lot of an apartment complex and attempted to rob him of his car. Officer Bartek immediately took police action and attempted to disarm the woman but was shot twice during the ensuing struggle. The woman fled but was later arrested along with a male accomplice following a vehicle pursuit. The woman was charged with aggravated murder. Officer Bartek had served with the Cleveland Division of Police for 1-1/2 years and was assigned to the Fifth District.

Honoring

Firefighter / Paramedic James Swindlehurst

DeWitt Township Fire Department, Michigan

EOW: Dec. 24, 2021 | Age: None | Tour: None

Firefighter-paramedic James Swindlehurst died on Dec. 24 of complications of COVID-19, WLNS reported. Swindlehurst served as a firefighter with the DeWitt Township Fire Department and as a paramedic with Mercy Ambulance, the DeWitt Area Firefighters Association wrote in a Facebook post. “James provided excellent emergency services day in and day out and took pride in being the best he could be, the association said in a post. “You will be missed James.”

Honoring

Paramedic Brian Tarabori

Soldiers and Sailors Hospital, Pennsylvania

EOW: Dec. 15, 2021 | Age: None | Tour: None

Paramedic Brian Tarabori was laid to rest on Dec. 15 after being in an ICU fighting COVID-19 for two weeks, WENY reported. Tarabori joined Soldiers and Sailors Hospital as a paramedic in 1991, according to the Home Page Network. Before that, he was a member of the Goodyear Hose Company and Gale Hose Ambulance. The paramedic contracted COVID-19 while on duty and died on Dec. 12. On Dec. 15, Wellsboro ALS held a procession in honor of Tarabori. Friends, family members and co-workers gathered at the Wellsboro Fire Department Annex, went to the Williamsport Hospital, returned to Wellsboro, and brought Tarabori back to his home in Galeton, where they laid him to rest. Tarabori is survived by his wife, who also has been fighting COVID-19, and two children, according to a gofundme account set up to help the family.