Ambridge Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Sunday, April 12, 2020
Add to My HeroesMark Joseph Romutis
Interim Police Chief Mark Romutis died as a result of complications after contracting COVID-19 while on duty.
Chief Romutis was appointed to his position with the Ambridge Borough Police Department in 2018 and had served in law enforcement for 40 years. He had previously served with the Upper St. Clair Township Police Department, Pittsburgh Police Department, and Ellwood City Police Department. He is survived by his wife and son.
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 64
- Tour 40 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Friday, March 20, 2020
Most Recent Reflection
View all 12 ReflectionsChief Romutis,
On today, the 1st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Ambridge Borough. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
R.I.P.
USBP
Amonymous
United States Border Patrol
April 12, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths

Border Patrol Agent Daniel Salazar
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: May 17, 2022

Chief Deputy Sheriff Jody Wayne Cash
Calloway County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 16, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Walter Donald Jenkins, Jr.
Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: May 11, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Robert Adam Howard
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: May 11, 2022

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember
Ottawa Police Department, IL
EOW: April 3, 2022

Sergeant Nicholas W. Tullier
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 5, 2022

Police Officer Darryl Wayne Fortner
Vestavia Hills Police Department, AL
EOW: April 6, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Nicholas D. Weist
Knox County Sheriff's Office, IL
EOW: April 29, 2022

Deputy Sheriff Douglas Warren Sanford
Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: March 29, 2022