Boston police officer dies from coronavirus

Mayor Walsh and Police Commissioner William Gross today announced the death of Police Officer Jose Fontanez, 53, of Covid-19.

Fontanez had been a Boston officers since 1991, and had worked in District E-13 in Jamaica Plain since 1996. He had been on the 4 p.m. to midnight shift.

He leaves his wife, his four children and a grandchild, Walsh said.

"We lost a hero today to this virus," Walsh said. Walsh said Bostonians could honor his memory by staying at home to help battle the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gross said that Fontanez earned several commissioner's commendations in his career.

Gross added that to date, 67 Boston police officers have tested positive for Covid-19 and that 53 remain out of work. Fontanez died at Boston Medical Center; Gross aised healthcare workers there for doing everything the could for Fontanez.

E-13 Capt. John Greland, himself recuperating from Covid-19, tweeted: "Rest In Peace Officer, End Of Watch."

Gross added that police are continuing to arrest people who break the law in the middle of the pandemic. "You will not get a Covid-19 break," he said. He added he won't discuss specifics of the personal protective equipment Boston police officers have, because he does not want to give the bad guys any tips that could help them attack officers or exploit any possible weaknesses. However, he said officers are adequately supplied with the equipment they need to stay safe.