Newnan Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch Thursday, September 2, 2021
Add to My HeroesFrankie Anibal Gutierrez
Police Officer Frankie Gutierrez died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Officer Gutierrez was a U.S Army and U.S. Air Force Reserves veteran. He had served with the Newnan Police Department for three years and had served in law enforcement for 24 years. He is survived by his wife and four 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 46
- Tour 24 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Not available
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsFrankie was my best friend in high school at Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, GA. He had just arrived from Brooklyn, New York and had all of the requisite swag; he knew how to dress, how to talk, and how to dance. I have memories of walking home from school and him always being in a great mood... laughing, joking, and dancing. I can't even remember him not ever being exuberantly happy. As much as I remember him being a huge goofball, I have to say he really influenced the person I came to be. He was truly hard to dislike, and he really did have a big heart.
I got to speak to him a little before he passed, and I remember feeling very proud of all that he'd accomplished in his life. I wish I could have had a little time to get to know him again.
My heart and prayers go out to his family. I know how important family was to him, and I can only imagine what a great father and husband he was.
I know he will be sorely missed.
Nelson Harris
Friend
November 18, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Jonathan Diller
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: March 25, 2024
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024