LAPD Sergeant Dies From Coronavirus Complications

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department announced Friday that a 31-year-veteran of the force died of COVID-19 complications, becoming the department's seventh sworn employee to die of the virus.

Sgt. Anthony White died Thursday after contracting the coronavirus. He had been an LAPD officer since 1990 and was most recently assigned to the department's Transit Services Division.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents LAPD offices, also mourned White's death in a Twitter posting, which read: "He protected our city for over 30 years. Our prayers are with Sgt. White's family, friends and co-workers during their time of sadness."

"Our deepest condolences to his friends and loved ones in this most difficult time," the department said in a Twitter post.

In addition to seven officers lost to the pandemic, two LAPD civilian employees have also died due to complications of the coronavirus. White is the first LAPD employee to die from the coronavirus since the end of the winter surge.

Since the start of the pandemic, 2,690 LAPD employees have tested positive for the virus, and 78 were self-isolating at home or recovering due to exposure as of Thursday, the Emergency Operations Center reported.

Details about White's life and service were not immediately available from the LAPD or the officers' union.

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