CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The second Chicago Police officer who died from COVID-19 complications was remembered as a valiant servant to the city's public safety and a telling reminder that civilians must stay home to combat the virus, said Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Police Sgt. Clifford Martin died Friday, CPD announced after he developed symptoms and was hospitalized on March 20. A 25-year veteran of the department, Martin worked in the Area Central Detectives Division and had over 60 department awards, Lightfoot said.
"Our hearts go out to his wife and three children, who are now grieving over the unimaginable loss of the husband and father who has taken from them so suddenly by this terrible disease," she said.
Two of Martin's children are also on the police force, which the mayor called a testament to his dedication.
Interim Supt. Charlie Beck also called Martin a hero and said he always put his family first.
"What a tremendous heart, what a horrific loss," Beck said of Martin.
He said police officers are making sacrifices every day to protect others while people stay home, and while Beck said for now officers have the protective equipment they need, that could change as the virus continues to spread.
Last week, a 50-year-old undercover officer became the first member of CPD to die of the coronavirus.
Marco DiFranco's death from complications of the coronavirus was the first in the department, which has seen more than 200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and those out sick each day have hovered around 1,000.
