COVID-19 is the leading cause of law enforcement deaths in 2021 - krcgtv.com
NEW BLOOMFIELD — The National Law Enforcement Officers Fund said COVID-19 is the leading cause of law enforcement deaths within the first six months of 2021.
The organization reported between January 1 and June 30, 2021, 71 officers died from contracting COVID while performing official duties.
“It’s not surprising at this point anymore because COVID has affected so many people," said Maries County Sheriff Chris Heitman.
Sergeant Scott Alpers with the Columbia Police Department said he's heard of several officers dying from COVID, but didn't realize how many officers have died.
“Shocked and sad ... that, that many officers had died from COVID. I wasn’t aware of the [number] of officers," Alpers said.
COVID was also the leading cause of death among law enforcement in 2020. Within the first six months of 2020, 76 officers died from contracting the virus.
You never know if you’re going to run across somebody that has the virus that may be passing it on, or they haven’t informed you there positive, or they don’t know their positive, so it does make it a little more dangerous.
"I’ve been on a call where I wasn’t aware of positive COVID cases until later into the call," Alpers said.
Heitman said the coronavirus has impacted his life tremendously. In July, he found out he tested positive for COVID-19.
"It was pretty tough. I even had the vaccine beforehand, but I think I probably would have been hospitalized had I not had the vaccine," Heitman said.
Nearly two months after Heitman contracted COVID, the virus found his brother.
My brother passed away because of COVID last Saturday. He chose not to be vaccinated, that was his choice, but I think it definitely would have made a difference had he been vaccinated.
Alpers noted he thinks contracting the virus is always on the minds of law enforcement.
“I think in all the officer's minds, not only do they fear about contracting the virus themselves, but bringing it home to their loved ones, to their family members that could be susceptible to the virus, or could potentially cause any further harm or problems to somebody that always has an underlying condition," Alpers said.
Alpers and Heitman both said their job is risky, and it's become even more dangerous because of COVID.
“Look at all the deaths, law enforcement deaths because of COVID. Those officers are just doing their day-to-day job, responding to your needs, responding [to] your service calls," Heitman said.
"I think it just amplifies the risk we take every day with our job," Alpers said.
source: https://krcgtv.com/news/local/covid-is-the-leading-cause-of-law-enforcement-deaths-in-2021
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