Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Sunday, April 5, 2020
Add to My HeroesJames Walker, Jr.
Captain James Walker died as the result of complications after contracting COVID-19 during a presumed exposure while on duty.
Captain Walker had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 32 years and was assigned to the Traffic Division. He had planned to retire in November 2020. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain.
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 900 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 59
- Tour 32 years
- Badge 435
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Friday, March 27, 2020
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsMy big brother, Jim you helped me get on this job over 28yrs ago. The early morning runs cold outside, even showing up at my final run at the academy making sure I passed. I miss are once a week calls. I promise to look out for my big sister Vita. Miss you dearly bro. Continue to rest in peace.
Police Officer Frazier
Philadelphia Police
June 6, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Raymond Kuuchi
United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services, US
EOW: September 2, 2024
Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim
United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, US
EOW: October 6, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Lex Allen Love
Wise County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: October 2, 2024
Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia
Cameron County Constable's Office - Precinct 1, TX
EOW: September 30, 2024
Trooper Kevin Alexis Ramirez-Vasquez
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, TX
EOW: September 28, 2024
Constable Shane R. Eyre
Vienna Town Constable's Office, NY
EOW: September 1, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Cailee Campbell
Oswego County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: September 25, 2024
Police Officer David Lee
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, MO
EOW: September 22, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Joshua C. Phipps
Russell County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: September 16, 2024