Phoenix Police officer dies from COVID-19 complications

PHOENIX — A Phoenix police officer nearing 25 years of service has died due to COVID-19 complications, multiple sources told KTAR News on Monday.

The Phoenix Police Department announced Mathew Hefter died Saturday as a result of a medical issue.

The department in an email to KTAR News could not confirm anything regarding Hefter’s medical issue.

Hefter had been a police officer since 1997.

“He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and coworkers,” Phoenix Police said in a tweet.

Hefter is the third Arizona police officer to have died in the past week due to COVID-19 complications.

Glendale Police Officer Lonnie Durham died Aug. 2, the department announced Monday.

According to a statement from the family, written by his brother, Durham was being treated for job-related PTSD and was going through the process of medical retirement when he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

On Saturday, the Bullhead City Police Department announced Lt. Nick Sessions passed away after a prolonged fight against COVID-19.

Sessions was a law enforcement officer with the department for more than 22 years.

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