Former Santa Cruz County correctional officer dies of COVID-19 in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (KION and AP) A Los Angeles police officer has died of COVID-19, and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said he used to be one of their correctional officers.
Officer Valentin Martinez, 45, had been with the Los Angeles Police Department for 13 years. He died Friday morning, and he is the agency's first sworn member to die of COVID-19 complications.
Martinez was a soon-to-be father- his domestic partner is pregnant with twins.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore told KNX that Martinez had been sick since May and officials believe he was infected through his job.
“He was a hero lost way too early in life,” the Los Angeles Police Protective League Board of Directors, the union that represents rank-and-file officers, 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 Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said of Martinez, "He made the move to LAPD Headquarters years ago, but will always be part of our Sheriff’s Office family... Rest Easy Val, we’ll have the watch from here."
