A memorial was held Thursday for a fallen Santa Rosa police officer who died during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Det. Marylou Armer was the first California officer to die of COVID-19 complications last year, but the official service was delayed unti after the state relaxed coronavirus restrictions last month.
It began with a procession of Santa Rosa Police officers through downtown Santa Rosa, from Santa Rosa Junior College north up to the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Upwards of 70 police units were joined by Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputies and the Santa Rosa Fire Department, with the California Highway Patrol providing traffic control.
The private service was held at the Luther Burbank Center for Det. Armer, who investigated domestic violence and sex crimes while working out of the county’s Family Justice Center. Members of the public gathered on Mendocino Ave. while Santa Rosa firefighters stood at attention as the procession passed by just after 8:30 a.m.
Officers and Chief Ray Navarro said Armer, a Napa County resident, was a beloved member of the department. Her colleagues made it a priority to honor her.Mike DeWald/KCBS Radio
Officers and Chief Ray Navarro said Armer, a Napa County resident, was a beloved member of the department. Her colleagues made it a priority to honor her.
Armer contracted the virus last March when many testing resources were scarce. Initially denied a COVID-19 test for two weeks until she’d be hospitalized for eight days, Armer died six days later.
