LAPD Officer, An Expectant Father Of Twins, Dies Of Coronavirus

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles Police Department officer died of coronavirus complications Friday. He was 45-years-old, the expectant father of twins.

It's the first coronavirus death of a sworn LAPD officer, and it comes as the LAPD ranks have been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak. The department confirmed that the officer died Friday morning from "complications of COVID-19."

"It is with profound sadness, the Los Angeles Police Department is reporting the tragic passing of Police Officer Valentin Martinez ... from complications due to COVID-19," an LAPD statement says.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore tweeted his condolences to Martinez's family Friday afternoon.

"He worked as a patrol officer within (the LAPD's Mission Division), dedicating his life to the people of LA. To his partner Megan, his mother, and siblings -- our deepest condolences," Moore said. "(Officer) Martinez, May God welcome you home."

Martinez was a 13-year veteran of the department, and it is presumed that he contracted the virus on duty, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"He lost his courageous battle with coronavirus this morning. He is survived by his domestic partner, who is 20 weeks pregnant with twins, his mother, and siblings."

Martinez had been diagnosed with COVID-19 a week ago.

"He was a hero lost way too early in life," the Los Angeles Police Protective League Board of Directors said in a statement. "All of our officers have placed themselves and their families at increased risk throughout the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We honor their sacrifice today."

The department lost another of their own earlier this month. A 39-year-old non-sworn detention officer died July 3, becoming the first LAPD employee to die from COVID-19. Erica McAdoo, a non-sworn senior detention officer, was 39.

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More than 400 LAPD officers have contracted the coronavirus, which has ballooned through the ranks of LAPD officers in the aftermath of the widespread protests against police brutality across Los Angeles.

Frontline workers including police, fire and medical workers have suffered disproportionately from the outbreak. Essential workers and factory workers in Los Angeles have also been hit hard.

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