DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. – A Douglas County Sheriff’s Office detective died from complications of COVID-19 Thursday, becoming the sixth first responder in the state to succumb to the disease since the start of the pandemic last year.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Detective Joe Pollack, a 19-year veteran of the department, died early Thursday morning from complications of COVID-19 after contracting the virus while on-duty, according to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office. The post made no mention of the detective’s COVID-19 vaccination status.
Prior to working in Douglas County, Pollack spent 20 years with the New York Police Department (NYPD), retiring as a sergeant. During his tenure at the DCSO, Pollack was assigned to the Special Investigations Unit, the sheriff’s office said.
A procession from Littleton Adventist Hospital took place Thursday morning for the fallen deputy.
So blessed to have our #Blue family take our brother home. Thank you to all those who came out to honor Joe during this procession. #RIPJoe #Blue4Ever https://t.co/HGT6vOQdBV pic.twitter.com/qYZ8A3iGaQ
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) December 9, 2021
A memorial service will be held on Dec. 17 at noon at Southeast Christian Church, which is located at 9650 Jordan Rd. in Parker. It's open to the public.
A procession will take place ahead of the memorial service at 10 a.m. following the below route:
- Westbound Plum Creek Parkway to Northbound I-25
- I-25 north to E-470
- Jordan Road south the the church
Northbound I-25 and eastbound E-470 will be closed along the route from 9:30 a.m. until it clears.
Pollack is the fifth first responder to die after contracting the virus in Colorado so far this year.
A Platte Valley paramedic, a Windsor Police Department officer, an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputy, and two deputies with the Denver Sheriff Department are among the first responders who have died after contracting COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic last year.
Detective Pollack is survived by his wife and three children.
If you'd like to make a donation to the deputy's family, you can click here to do so through the Fallen Officer Fund of Douglas County. In the comment line of the PayPal donation or check, you are asked to address it to the Pollack Family.
