RESEARCH NOTES
Chandler police officer Jeremy Wilkins dies of COVID-19
BrieAnna J. Frank
Arizona Republic
Jeremy Wilkins.
A Chandler Police Department officer died on Friday after a battle with COVID-19, the department announced on Saturday.
Officer Jeremy Wilkins was a 23-year law enforcement veteran, the department said. He is survived by a wife and five children.
The department also experienced the loss of an officer from COVID-19 in January, when 19-year veteran Officer Tyler Britt died from the disease.
COVID-19 has become the leading cause of death for American law enforcement officers, according to the nonprofit Officer Down Memorial Page.
Funeral details for Wilkins had not been released as of Saturday afternoon.
Chandler police officer dies from COVID-19
Officer Jeremy Wilkins
Officer Jeremy Wilkins(Chandler Police Department)
By Peter Valencia
Officer Tyler Britt
AUGUST 18, 1972 – JANUARY 11, 2021
Officer
Badge Number: 490
End of Watch: January 11, 2021
Officer Britt lost his life after a protracted battle with complications related to COVID-19. He was initially exposed while performing his duties as a patrol officer. H
Officer
Badge Number: 490
End of Watch: January 11, 2021
Officer Britt lost his life after a protracted battle with complications related to COVID-19. He was initially exposed while performing his duties as a patrol officer.
Arizona police officer dies after battle with COVID-19
UPDATED: JANUARY 4, 2022 AT 9:21 PM
Arizona police officer dies after battle with COVID-19
Jesus Lara (Casa Grande Police Department Photo)
BY KTAR.COM
PHOENIX — Another Arizona police officer has died following a battle with COVID-19, authorities announced Tuesday.
CORONAVIRUS
Another Arizona police officer dies from COVID-19 complications
Officer Mathew Hefter, a 24-year veteran of Phoenix police, died on Aug. 7 from a COVID-related illness.
Author: 12 News, Erica Stapleton
Published: 8:29 PM MST August 10, 2021
Updated: 8:29 PM MST August 10, 2021
PHOENIX — Another Valley police officer has died from a COVID-related illness.
The Phoenix Police Department announced on Tuesday that Officer Mathew Hefter died on Aug. 7 as a result of a medical issue.
It’s not clear if he was vaccinated, but friends shared he encouraged others to get the shot before he died.
We’re told he documented his brutal battle with COVID from the hospital, posting that the "virus is a beast."
Phoenix police couldn't comment on whether or not any officer is vaccinated, but told 12 News that vaccines are not mandatory for officers, but they are available to anybody who would want one.
Hefter is the third officer in Arizona to succumb to the contagious virus in recent weeks.
Officer Lonnie Durham of the Glendale Police Department died on Aug. 2 after battling the coronavirus for several days.
On Aug. 6, Lt. Nick Sessions of Bullhead City passed away after a prolonged fight against the virus
Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, said that low vaccination rates among law enforcement are the reason why COVID-19 is the leading killer of police officers.
"That’s well established," Humble said. "They fail to get vaccinated and they die of covid-19."
