Los Angeles Police Department, California
End of Watch Friday, July 24, 2020
Add to My HeroesValentin Contreras Martinez
Police Officer Val Martinez died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Officer Martinez had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for 13 years and was assigned to the Mission Division. He is survived by his mother and pregnant partner, who is due with twins.
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 45
- Tour 13 years
- Badge 38701
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Friday, May 15, 2020
Most Recent Reflection
View all 7 ReflectionsVal,
Your smile and positive demeanor are sorely missed. You were taken away from us way to soon. Coming to work is not the same without you here with us. Rest in peace my friend. You will be in our thoughts always.
Sergeant David A. Gomez
Los Angeles Police Department
May 15, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Horren Randy Tyler
Madison Police Department, MS
EOW: June 1, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Conley
Scott County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: May 22, 2023

Sergeant Michael Kunovich
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 19, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Brett Harris
Riverside County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: May 13, 2023

Sergeant Joshua Lee Clouse
Cameron Police Department, TX
EOW: May 11, 2023

Port Police Officer Kimberly Sickafoose
Alabama Port Authority Police, AL
EOW: May 11, 2023

Police Officer Aréanah M. Preston
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: May 6, 2023

Detective Jacob Beu
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, TN
EOW: May 7, 2023

Police Officer Robert Shisler
Deptford Township Police Department, NJ
EOW: May 7, 2023