GoFundMe Created For Norton Police Officer Battling Coronavirus

NORTON, MA — A Norton police officer is in the intensive care unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston after bring diagnosed with COVID-19, Flu A, and pneumonia.

Detective Sergeant Stephen Desfosses, who has been with the Norton Police Department for over 30 years, tested positive for COVID-19 several weeks ago and tried to recuperate at home, but began to lose his ability to breathe on his own, according to a GoFundMe page created for Desfosses and his family by Jeffa Lombardi.

"Initial tests revealed blood clots in his lungs, legs, and abdomen," says the GoFundMe page. "More importantly, he was completely unable to maintain oxygen saturation on his own."

Desfosses has been in the ICU for two weeks and can maintain stable levels of oxygen, but not to the point where the concentration of oxygen he is receiving can be reduced, says the GoFundMe page. It is still possible that he could suffer long term or irreversible lung damage.

Desfosses wife, Jessica, is currently on leave from work to take care of their two daughters, Addison, 11, and Ella, 8. As of Monday, Jan. 4, $71,225 has been raised for the family. The fundraising goal is currently set at $100,000.

"Stephen's main concern, aside from returning home eventually, is that his family is taken care of," says the GoFundMe page.

Due to the number of police officers and other emergency workers who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Monday that approximately 45,000 first responders, including police, firefighters, and EMTs, will be getting vaccinated Monday, Jan. 11.