Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Add to My HeroesChristopher Michael Cunningham, Sr.
Lieutenant Chris Cunningham died after contracting COVID-19 as the result of a confirmed exposure while on duty.
Lieutenant Cunningham was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for 22 years. He is survived by his wife, five children, and three grandchildren.
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 48
- Tour 22 years
- Badge 7687
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Thursday, July 2, 2020
Most Recent Reflection
View all 79 ReflectionsOn behalf of the Jacksonville Brotherhood of Police Officers, we are grateful for your service and sacrifice. We miss you terribly every day. Your legacy lives on three those who you mentored and supervised. We will never forget you LT!
Retired Officer J.J. Dixon
Jacksonville Sheriffs Office
September 17, 2021
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