Patrol Officer Edgar "Buddy" Pales, Jr

Patrol Officer Edgar "Buddy" Pales, Jr

Owasso Police Department, Oklahoma

End of Watch Sunday, August 29, 2021

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Edgar "Buddy" Pales, Jr

Patrol Officer Buddy Pales died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Officer Pales had served with the Owasso Police Department for 29 years. He is survived by his daughter, two grandchildren, parents, and two brothers.


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 29 years
  • Badge 926

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Friday, August 13, 2021

communicable disease, COVID-19

Most Recent Reflection

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I miss you every day brother. I know you're in a better place. We are watching over your loved ones.

Sgt. Kenneth Yount
Owasso PD, Brother in arms

August 29, 2022

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