Fresno Police Department, California
End of Watch Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Add to My HeroesRichard Paul Brown, II
Sergeant Paul Brown died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 while on duty.
Sergeant Brown had served with the Fresno Police Department for 28 years and was assigned to the Central District. He is survived by his wife and three children.
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 56
- Tour 28 years
- Badge S124
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Most Recent Reflection
View all 74 ReflectionsTo the Brown family. I am SO sorry for your loss. My sister was at the the ceremony with John Kenney in Sacramento and sent videos. Heartbreaking. THANK YOU to Richard and the entire Brown family for your sacrifice. I believe there's a special place in Heaven for those who serve.
Sue Farmer
Sunnyside High School
May 3, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Walter Jenkins
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

Police Officer David Glen Evans
San Antonio Police Department, TX
EOW: February 25, 2022

Police Officer Roy Andrew Barr
Cayce Police Department, SC
EOW: April 24, 2022