Austin PD Officer Dies Of COVID-19, 1st In Department

Austin TX

25 August, 2021

3:37 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — An Austin police officer, who was being treated for COVID-19, died early Wednesday. The officer's death marks the first virus-related death for the department since the pandemic began. Senior Police Officer Randolph Boyd, who joined the department in 2014, died after a "valiant fight" with the coronavirus, said Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon in a statement Wednesday. Boyd, leaves behind a wife and twin sons, officials said. "Randy was a great officer who gave everything he had for a life of service," Chacon wrote. "We find ourselves in a heartbreaking situation and we will come through it as as family. Please keep Randy and his family in your thoughts and prayers and honoring his memory by taking all precautions to keep yourself and your family safe." It is once again with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the loss of another of our family - Senior Police Officer Randolph "Randy" Boyd. After a valiant fight against COVID-19, he succumbed to this horrible virus this morning. He is survived by his wife and young twin boys. pic.twitter.com/c4oSTJDzqp— Joseph Chacon (@Chief_Chacon) August 25, 2021 Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday said in a Facebook post Boyd's service to the department will forever be remembered. "Our sincere condolences to the Boyd family, his friends, and working colleagues," the post said. The association said the organization along with Austin Cops for Charities and Peer Support will be assisting the Boyd family during this critical time. Austin Cops for Charities will be starting a fundraising campaign on behalf of the the Boyd family, officials said. About 49 employees are currently on leave after testing positive for COVID-19. Of them, 41 are officers and eight are civilians. At least one other officer is in the hospital, according to the Austin-American Statesman. The newspaper reports 100 officers statewide have died from the virus. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, more officers have died of COVID-19 nationally than any other cause in 2020 and in 2021. RELATED COVERAGE: Round Rock PD Hiring For 911 Dispatchers 185 Afghan Refugees Will Be Relocated To Austin, Officials Say 2 Austin PD Officers Cleared Of All Charges In February Shooting