Gov. Newsom Honors Santa Rosa Police Detective Marylou Armer

SACRAMENTO, CA— California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement Thursday honoring longtime Santa Rosa Police Department Detective Marylou Armer. The 44-year-old Napa County resident became very ill in early March with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and died Tuesday of complications associated with the respiratory illness.

"Jennifer and I are terribly saddened to learn of Detective Armer’s untimely death," Newsom said. "Amid the current fight against COVID-19, Detective Armer selflessly and courageously served her community and the people of California. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and members of the Santa Rosa community as they mourn her loss."

Armer was a 20-year veteran of the Santa Rosa Police Department. She began her career in law enforcement as a field evidence technician for SRPD in September 1999. She was sworn in as a police officer in May 2008. At the time of her death, she was serving as a member of Santa Rosa PD's Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Team.

Armer is survived by her husband and daughter.

The Santa Rosa Police Department is working with her family to determine how to best honor her, Chief Rainer Navarro said.

"She will be deeply missed and our hearts and prayers are with her family," Navarro said in a video message.

Armer's death was the first line-of-duty death of a police officer in California associated with the disease, according to Newsom's statement.

She was also the first coronavirus-related death in Napa County.

Newsom said Capitol flags were to be flown at half-staff in honor and memory of Armer.

Closer to home, the Santa Rosa Police Department encouraged community members to wear "blue for Marylou" on Friday.

"Since we all must stay home, show your support with a photo of you at home, wearing blue," SRPD said in a Facebook post.