Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Interim Chicago Police Supt. Charlie Beck, and Chicago Fraternal Order of Police president Kevin Graham announce the death of Chicago Police Officer Marco DiFranco, who succumbed to COVID-19.
The Chicago Police Department announced Thursday morning April 2, 2020 that a Chicago police officer died of complications from COVID-19.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPD Interim Supt. Charlie Beck made the announcement during a press conference Thursday morning. The police officer’s family allowed his name to be revealed, otherwise state law would have prohibited his name being released.
Marco DiFranco, age 50, was a 21-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department and worked on the police department’s narcotics team. Marco DiFranco leaves behind a wife; two children, ages 7 and 10; and a brother who also works as a Chicago police officer in the same narcotics division. His brother is currently in isolation. Marco DiFranco primarily was the only person in his police vehicle.
Chicago Police Department Supt. Charlie Beck said Marco DiFranco contracted the virus last week (the last week of March), and was hospitalized over this past weekend. Marco DiFranco passed away Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 1:02 a.m. at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, becoming the first Chicago police officer to succumb to the illness.
Supt. Beck said that De Franco appointed to the police department in May 1998 and is a 21-year veteran. Beck said De Franco was a highly decorated police officer with 154 awards, a superintendent’s honorable mention and a special commendation.
FOP President Kevin Graham also spoke of the devastation brought by learning about the death of officer DiFranco, who was related to one of the attorney’s of the FOP. Graham asked citizens for prayers for the first responders for their families and for the medical pressures. Graham said that this is another sign of the daily courage that our members face to make sure the people of the City of Chicago are safe.
There are about 14,000 members of the Chicago Police Department, and 60 police officers have tested positive for coronavirus infection, which is less than 1% of the police force.
According to the New York Post, Wednesday morning April 1, 2020, in New York City, the number of NYPD police officers testing positive was 1,400 among about 36,000 or 3.8 percent.
This week it was also learned that another Chicago police officer is on a ventilator, and a Chicago firefighter is on a ventilator.
We are devasted to confirm that #COVID19 has hit the Chicago Police Department and a dedicated family of city public servants very hard. We will join Mayor Lori Lightfoot at 11am at a press conference to provide additional detail. Please tune in to the stream @chicagosmayor pic.twitter.com/0FmVuEgAhP
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) April 2, 2020
Officer Marco DiFranco, a first generation Italian American was assigned to an undercover narcotics team. His first love was his family, his second was being a Chicago cop and lastly his heritage and collection of Italian sports cars. He was one hell of a policeman. pic.twitter.com/cus4vKYIUu
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) April 2, 2020
Supt Beck says this virus impacts first responders differently as they can not shelter in place & are on the front linea safeguarding communities. Because of that, CPD will explore whether this #COVID19 related death meets the standards for a line of duty death classification. pic.twitter.com/s1I0gorlTC
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) April 2, 2020
Initially there was no information available regarding whether Marco DiFranco had any underlying health conditions.
At the press conference, Supt. Beck emphasized that first responders can not shelter in place and are on the front lines. Because of that, the department will explore whether DiFranco’s death meets the standards for a line-of-duty death classification.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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