Hammond Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 2021
Add to My HeroesThomas E. Sawyer
Sergeant Thomas Sawyer died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in a presumed exposure while assigned to the Hammond Police Jail.
Sergeant Sawyer was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Hammond Police Department for 23 years. He is survived by his wife and two 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 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 53
- Tour 22 years
- Badge 448
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Saturday, May 1, 2021
Most Recent Reflection
View all 36 ReflectionsRest In Peace, brother. I will never forget your kindness.
Sgt. G. Sparks
Hammond Police Department
November 22, 2021
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