First Responders Salute LAPD Officer Who Died From COVID-19

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles police mourned one of their own Tuesday as the body of 45-year-old Los Angeles Police Department Officer Valentin 'Val' Martinez was transferred to Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills.

Martinez, who died Friday from complications of COVID-19, was the department's first sworn officer to die from the disease. It's believed that he contracted the coronavirus on the job as a patrol officer in the Valley's Mission Division.

"His partners stood at attention and saluted Martinez as his procession arrived from the hospital to the mortuary," the Los Angeles Police Department wrote on Twitter Tuesday evening.

"It was a solemn moment, but a moment filled with respect, dignity and professionalism -- traits that embody and represent Val."

Martinez was expecting twins with his domestic partner, who is 20 weeks pregnant.

A van carried his body 23 miles from Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica to the Hollywood Hills cemetery, ABC7 reported. The route was lined with first responders, who came out to pay their respects. As is often the case when an officer dies in the line of duty, fellow uniformed officers lined up to salute his flag-draped coffin. On this day, instead of sharing their grief with hugs, they were forced to socially distance. Martinez's pregnant partner walked tearfully behind his casket as two people in head-to-toe protective gear loaded it into a hearse.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore tweeted his condolences to Martinez's family Friday afternoon.

"He worked as a patrol officer within (the LAPD's Mission Division), dedicating his life to the people of LA. To his partner Megan, his mother, and siblings -- our deepest condolences," Moore said. "(Officer) Martinez, May God welcome you home."

"He was a hero lost way too early in life," the Los Angeles Police Protective League Board of Directors said in a statement. "All of our officers have placed themselves and their families at increased risk throughout the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We honor their sacrifice today."

Martinez is the second LAPD employee to die from the illness. Erica McAdoo, a non-sworn senior detention officer, died from the virus July 3. She was 39.

Family and friends of Martinez have launched a fundraising effort to support his partner and their twins, which are due in November.

Donations are being accepted at gofundme, https://www.gofundme.com/f/val... or ValsFund, https://valsfund.wixsite.com/valmartinez. Checks payable to ``Blue Ribbon Trust for Valentin Martinez," account number 2080491, can be mailed to the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 10188, Van Nuys, Calif. 91410.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.