Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember

Patrol Officer Brian Lee Sember

Ottawa Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch Sunday, April 3, 2022

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Brian Lee Sember

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

Officer Sember was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Ottawa Police Department for 23 years. He is survived by his 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 49
  • Tour 23 years
  • Badge 31
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause COVID19
  • Incident Date Monday, March 14, 2022

COVID-19, communicable disease

Most Recent Reflection

View all 34 Reflections

The true measure of a person
is not found in the
might of their arm,
their wealth
or their power –
it is found in the strength
of their character.

There is no greater testimony to
ones character, than ones
willingness to sacrifice all,
in the noble quest of
providing protection to all
whom they serve.

Author Unknown

"Semper Fi"

Javier Cornejo
Police Officer, Retired
City of Milwaukee Police Department
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

June 5, 2022

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