Boston Police Officer Dies From Coronavirus

BOSTON — A 29-year veteran of the Boston Police Department died of complications related to the new coronavirus, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced Tuesday.

Jose Fontanez, 53, joined the force in 1991 and had served in Jamaica Plain since 1996. He was a decorated officer and leaves behind a wife, four children, a grandchild and siblings.

"We lost a hero today to this virus," Walsh said.

Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said the department was reeling.

"He loved his city, of course loved his family and his family of blue and served them well," Gross said. "This one hit us hard."

Fontanez was at Boston Medical Center when he died, according to officials.

"We're not expendable, we're human, too," Gross said.

Walsh and Gross encouraged residents to stay home and practice social distancing to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Gross said 67 officers have tested positive for the coronavirus and of those, 53 officers are still out in quarantine.

Gross said his department has enough personal protective equipment to stay safe.

"My heart and I think everybody's heart goes out to him and to his brothers and sisters in uniform," said Gov. Charlie Baker during his daily coronavirus update Tuesday.

As of Tuesday, 957 have died of the coronavirus in Massachusetts and 28,163 people have contracted the virus.

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