Flags were lowered to half staff in the city of Santa Rosa on Wednesday in honor of the city police detective who passed away on Tuesday from COVID-19 complications.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a member of our SRPD family, Detective Marylou Armer. Marylou has faithfully served our community, in the Santa Rosa Police Department for the past 20 years. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/FEc077nUcO
— Santa Rosa Police (@SantaRosaPolice) March 31, 2020
Police statewide said the death has been their biggest fear amid the pandemic.
Detective Marylou Armer was 43-years-old and was not known to have any underlying health conditions. She is the only member of California law enforcement to die from the virus so far.
The vast majority of police officers in California are below the age of 60.
Ronald Lawrence is the head of the California Police Chief’s Association (CPCA) and the Citrus Heights Police Chief, and he told KCBS Radio that departments statewide have been taking aggressive steps to protect officers and the public, while trying to keep people calm.
“Many police departments have closed their front lobbies and are helping citizens in the parking lot rather than inside an enclosed structure,” Lawrence said. "We’re working across the state to share best practices.”
Lawrence described police as dedicated, selfless and hardworking, and said that to be able to keep doing their job safely, agencies have taken steps to limit interactions with the public wherever possible by wearing protective gear.
“Public safety doesn’t stop,” Lawrence said.
