Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico
End of Watch Friday, April 24, 2020
Add to My HeroesMiguel Angel Martínez-Ortiz
Agent Miguel Martínez-Ortiz died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty.
Agent Martínez-Ortiz had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 28 years and was assigned to a federal Homeland Security Investigations task force.
The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement
Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.
Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 600 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.
Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.
Bio
- Age 56
- Tour 28 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
Most Recent Reflection
View all 87 ReflectionsThank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren. Rest in peace always and may God Bless your family and loved ones always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
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April 24, 2021
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