Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, Michigan
End of Watch Friday, December 10, 2021
Add to My HeroesJames Lear
Deputy Sheriff James Lear died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Deputy Lear was United States Army veteran and had served with the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office for seven 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 600 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 43
- Tour 7 years
- Badge 874
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Friday, October 22, 2021
Most Recent Reflection
View all 2 ReflectionsMost merciful God, You hold each of us dear to Your heart. Hold all our nation’s law enforcement officers and their families, who are afflicted or affected by the COVID-19 Virus, in Your loving arms and tenderly draw them into Your life, together with all others who are living with the COVID-19 Virus. Assure them that they are not alone, and give them courage and faith for all that is to come. Strengthen those who care for them and treat them, and guide those who do research. Forgive those who have judged harshly, and enlighten those who live in prejudice or fear. Nourish those who have lost sight of You, and heal the spirits of those who are broken. We pray this in the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, who suffered and died, and then rose from the dead to lead us into new life, now and forever. In Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” [Psalm 23:4 ESV]
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [and daughters] of God.” [Matthew 5:9 ESV]
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” [Matthew 5:4 ESV]
Chaplain Steven Robert Closs, DDiv, MBS, NCCA, FCPO-USA
Ordained / Licensed Independent Christian Outreach Clergy
Ministry: Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Services
Merrimack, NH 03054
Captain Steven R. Closs (Ret.)
Nashua NH Police Department
June 2, 2022
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