LAPD Mourns Coronavirus Death of Sergeant

LOS ANGELES, CA —Los Angeles is mourning the death of the fifth Los Angeles Police Department officer to succumb to the coronavirus since the pandemic began Friday.

Sgt. Patricia Guillen, a 23-year veteran of the force, died Thursday, the LAPD announced. Guillen was assigned to the 77th Division, according to the department, which said in a post on social media it was "mourning the loss of another LAPD member to COVID-19."

"Our thoughts & prayers are with her loved ones," LAPD said. "Patricia, we thank you for your service."

Guillen was the fifth LAPD officer and seventh department employee to die of the coronavirus.

On Monday, the department announced the death of Officer Philip Sudario, a 25-year veteran officer who was assigned to the Southeast Community Police Station in South Los Angeles.

Other LAPD employees who have died of complications from COVID-19 are Sgt. Amelia "Terry" Martinez, 53, who died Jan. 12; police service representative Raymond Guerrero, 24, who died this month; Sgt. Fred Cueto, a 22- year veteran who died in December; and non-sworn detention officer Erica McAdoo, 39, and Officer Valentin Martinez, 45, who both died in July.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.