Carnegie Mellon University Police Department, Pennsylvania
End of Watch Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Add to My HeroesJames Edward Simonetti
Police Officer Jimmy Simonetti died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 while performing his duties on the Carnegie Mellon University Campus at 5000 Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh.
Officer Simonetti had served with the Carnegie Mellon University Police Department for over 25 years. He is survived by his wife and five children.
The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement
Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.
Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.
Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.
Bio
- Age 53
- Tour 25 years
- Badge 20
Incident Details
- Cause COVID19
- Incident Date Saturday, September 4, 2021
Most Recent Reflection
View all 28 ReflectionsOctober 18 marked the 3 year anniversary of your passing at the hands of a deadly disease. To those who knew and love you, it must seem like yesterday. Too many people, and too many of our Sisters and Brothers succumbed to Covid and sadly, more probably will. We all had our scares, but tragically, heroes like you were dealt the full hand.
Your family, both at work and especially at home, are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you, Brother and may your eternal rest be ever peaceful.
Officer Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department
October 18, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Police Officer Jeremy R. Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025

Officer Jason Roscow
North Las Vegas Police Department, NV
EOW: February 4, 2025

Major Jeffrey A. Burke
New Jersey State Police, NJ
EOW: December 31, 2024

Corporal Dennis Francis Kelly
Delaware State Police, DE
EOW: December 21, 2024

Officer Baldino Morales-Sánchez
Mayagüez Municipal Police Department, PR
EOW: January 25, 2025

Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: January 20, 2025

Sergeant Mark Butler
Navasota Police Department, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Jesus Vargas
Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: January 15, 2025

Police Officer II Colton Dale Pulsipher
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, NV
EOW: December 12, 2024