DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — A detective with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office died early Thursday morning after contracting COVID-19, according to a post from the sheriff's office.
The post says Joe Pollack contracted the virus while on duty and says his passing will be considered as line of duty death.
Pollack had spent 20 years with the New York Police Department (NYPD) where he retired as a sergeant. He then spent 19 years with DCSO, assigned to the Special Investigations Unit.
He is survived by his wife and three children, according to the sheriff's office. Other members of law enforcement came out to Littleton Adventist Hospital Thursday morning for a procession in honor of Pollack, according to a tweet from DCSO.
Four other law enforcement officers in Colorado have died from COVID-19 in 2021, according to the Officer Down Memorial page. They include two Denver Sheriff's Department deputies, a Windsor Police officer and a deputy with the Elbert County Sheriff's Office.
A memorial service for Pollack will be held at noon Dec. 17 at Southeast Christian Church in Parker.
The memorial service is open to the public and will be live streamed.
A procession will leave the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock at 10 a.m. en route to the funeral. Here's the procession route:
- Starting at 500 Fairgrounds Road
- Westbound on Plum Creek Parkway
- Northbound on Interstate 25
- Eastbound on E-470
- Southbound on Jordan Road to the church at 9650 Jordan Rd.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office said northbound I-25 and eastbound E-470 along the processional route will be closed from 9:30 a.m. until the procession has cleared.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: COVID-19 Coronavirus