Senior Police Officer Ernest Leal, Jr.

Senior Police Officer Ernest Leal, Jr.

Houston Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Friday, November 27, 2020

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Ernest Leal, Jr.

Senior Police Officer Ernest Leal died as the result of complications after contracting COVID-19 while on duty.

Officer Leal had served with the Houston Police Department for 36 years and was assigned to the North Patrol Division. He is survived by his wife, four children, mother, and three siblings.


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 60
  • Tour 36 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Not available

COVID-19, communicable disease

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PRAYERS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND OUR FAMILY OF BLUE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND REST IN GODS ARMS.

MOTHER OF A DALLAS POLICEWOMAN LINDA KEM
None

December 27, 2020

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