Officer Byron Don Shields

Officer Byron Don Shields

United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations, U.S. Government

End of Watch Wednesday, January 20, 2021

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Byron Don Shields

Officer Byron Shields died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 during a presumed exposure while on duty.

Officer Shields was a U.S. Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm and had served with the United States Customs and Border Protection - Office of Field Operations for 18 years. He is survived by his mother, brother, and two sisters.


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 54
  • Tour 18 years
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Location Arizona
  • Incident Date Not available

COVID-19, communicable disease

Most Recent Reflection

View all 55 Reflections

Officer Shields,
On today, the 1st anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but also when you served with the U.S. Army during the Gulf War in 1991. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 20, 2022

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