Honoring

Lieutenant Willie Bunch

Oak City Fire and Rescue Department, North Carolina

EOW: Aug. 16, 2021 | Age: 41 | Tour: None

While on-duty at the fire department, Lieutenant Willie Bunch contracted COVID-19. He passed away from the virus on Monday, August 16, 2021.

Honoring

Firefighter/EMT William Stalls

Oak City Fire and Rescue Department, North Carolina

EOW: Aug. 15, 2021 | Age: 68 | Tour: None

While on-duty at the fire department, Firefighter/EMT William Stalls contracted COVID-19. He passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2021 from the virus.

Honoring

Firefighter/EMT Dylan Rodiek

Jollyville Fire Department, Texas

EOW: Aug. 16, 2021 | Age: 34 | Tour: None

On Monday, August 16, 2021, the Jollyville Fire Department received a call out for a medical response. Firefighter/EMT Dylan Rodiek did not respond to the call. After returning to the fire station, fellow firefighters found Firefighter/EMT Rodiek deceased on the floor of his bunk room, from a possible cardiac related event.

Honoring

Deputy Chief Tommy Allen Hopson

Carroll County Fire Rescue, Georgia

EOW: Aug. 15, 2021 | Age: 53 | Tour: None

Deputy Chief Tommy Allen Hopson contracted COVID-19 while on-duty at the fire department. He passed away from the virus on Sunday, August 15, 2021.

Honoring

Police Officer Jennifer B. Sepot

Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Florida

EOW: Aug. 14, 2021 | Age: 27 | Tour: 4 years

Police Officer Jennifer Sepot died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Officer Sepot had served with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for four years. She is survived by her husband, who is also a police officer, and her 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

Trooper Lazaro R. Febles

Florida Highway Patrol, Florida

EOW: Aug. 14, 2021 | Age: 41 | Tour: 12 years

Trooper Lazaro Febles died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Trooper Febles had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 12 years and was assigned to Troop E – Miami. 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

Deputy Sheriff Ryan J. Proxmire

Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

EOW: Aug. 15, 2021 | Age: 40 | Tour: 9 years

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Proxmire succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous night while involved in a vehicle pursuit. A subject who had evaded officers in an earlier vehicle pursuit was spotted at a gas station on 35th Street near Galesburg. As deputies approached him, the man produced a gun and fled in his vehicle, prompting a second pursuit. During the second pursuit, the subject started shooting at the pursuing deputies. One of the rounds struck Deputy Proxmire, causing his vehicle to leave the roadway near the intersection of MN Avenue and 38th Street in Charleston Township. Unaware that Deputy Proxmire had been wounded, the other deputies continued the pursuit for another 4-1/2 miles until the subject's vehicle became stuck in a field. The man exited his vehicle and again shot at the deputies, who returned fire and killed him. A passing motorist encountered Deputy Proxmire's vehicle and called 911. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wound the following day. Deputy Proxmire had served with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office for nine years. He is survived by his wife, four children, and parents.

Honoring

Reserve Officer Robert Craig Cloninger

Mount Gilead Police Department, North Carolina

EOW: Aug. 15, 2021 | Age: 38 | Tour: 19 years

Reserve Officer Craig Cloninger died after suffering a medical emergency after responding to a structure fire on Northview Road shortly before midnight. Officers from the Mount Gilead Police Department and fire personnel responded to the scene of the fully engulfed home. Officer Cloninger collapsed while at the scene of the fire and rescue personnel immediately began life-saving efforts. He was transported to FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight. Officer Cloninger served as a reserve officer with the Mount Gilead Police Department and as a full-time officer with the Biscoe Police Department. He had 19 years of law enforcement service and had previously served with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. He also served with the Ellerbe Rescue Squad. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Honoring

Police Officer Jason Raynor

Daytona Beach Police Department, Florida

EOW: Aug. 17, 2021 | Age: 26 | Tour: 5 years

Police Officer Jason Raynor succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on June 23rd, 2021, while he was investigating a suspicious vehicle. He noticed the vehicle parked near an apartment building in the 100 block of Kingston Avenue at about 8:50 pm. One of the occupants exited the vehicle and then suddenly pushed Officer Raynor. During the ensuing struggle, the subject shot Officer Raynor in the head. The man fled to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was arrested three days later. He was extradited to Florida and charged with attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer prior to Officer Raynor's death. Officer Raynor had served with the Daytona Beach Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Port Orange Police Department for three years. He is survived by his mother, father, and sister.

Honoring

Firefighter/EMT Timothy Watson

Barrow County Emergency Services, Georgia

EOW: Aug. 15, 2021 | Age: 48 | Tour: None

Firefighter/EMT Timothy Watson responded to a possible cardiac arrest where numerous individuals, including the patient, had COVID-19. Firefighter/EMT Watson subsequently contracted the virus and passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2021.

Honoring

Firefighter Joshua Schwindt

Morton County Fire Department, Kansas

EOW: Aug. 15, 2021 | Age: 42 | Tour: None

On Sunday, August 15, 2021, Firefighter Joshua Schwindt responded to a vehicle rollover accident. While searching for victims, he came in contact with downed power lines and was electrocuted. Emergency responders at the scene immediately performed CPR. Firefighter Schwindt was rushed to the Morton County Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later. Firefighter Schwindt was also a member of the Rolla Volunteer Fire Department in Rolla, Kansas.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Eric Otis Ritter

Moore County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina

EOW: Aug. 19, 2021 | Age: 57 | Tour: 33 years

Deputy Sheriff Eric Ritter died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in a presumed exposure while on duty at the Moore County Courthouse. Deputy Ritter had served three years with the Moore County Sheriff's Office and had previously served 30 years with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. He is survived by his wife, daughter, three granddaughters, parents, and a 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

Reserve Sergeant John Richard Bullard, Jr.

Independence Police Department, Missouri

EOW: Aug. 11, 2021 | Age: 64 | Tour: 46 years

Reserve Sergeant John Bullard died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Sergeant Bullard had served with the Independence Police Department for 46 years. He is survived by his wife, parents, a daughter, a son, two step-daughters, and ten 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

Special Agent Gregory Cleveland Holland

United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services, U.S. Government

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

Special Agent Greg Holland died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 as the result of a presumed exposure while on duty at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Law Enforcement Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Special Agent Holland was a U.S. Army veteran. He had served with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services for 10 years and had previously served with the Pine Bluff Police Department for 16 years. He is survived by his fiancée, three daughters, mother, and four siblings. 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

Police Officer Juan Manuel Gomez-Lopez

Pelham Police Department, Alabama

EOW: Aug. 14, 2021 | Age: 39 | Tour: 15 years

Police Officer Juan Gomez-Lopez died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. Officer Gomez was a U.S. Army veteran. He had served with the Pelham Police Department for 11 years and had previously served with the Albertville Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, 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

Lieutenant Mario J. Moya

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, Florida

EOW: Aug. 17, 2021 | Age: 51 | Tour: None

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Lieutenant Mario J. Moya unselfishly served his community while continuing to expose himself to the virus responding to EMS calls. He passed away from the virus on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.