Tulsa Police Officer Who Died Of COVID-19 Honored With Memorial Dedication

A memorial was dedicated Sunday to Tulsa Police Department officer Jerad Lindsey who died from complications from COVID-19 after contracting the virus while on duty. 

Lindsey was an active duty officer who was also the chairman of the board of directors for Tulsa’s Fraternal Order of Police.

"Jerad gave his life to this community, wholeheartedly, I can say," Oklahoma State Fraternal Order of Police chaplain Keith Fallis said. 

Fallis, who worked with Lindsey, said he was an incredible man who was always there for his fellow officers. 

The memorial dedication was a chance for Lindsey's family to celebrate his life. 

"No family is ready for this, and so, this dedication today is giving them the opportunity to acknowledge their loved one meant something," Fallis said. 

Lindsey is the 41st officer to be added to the memorial. 

Karen Ford is a trustee of the Tulsa Police Officers' Memorial Committee. The idea for the memorial celebrating officers began in 1996.

"It's hard because, when we made this memorial, everybody who was here had already been killed previously, and now Sgt. (Craig) Johnson and officer Lindsey are the first two to be added to it,” Ford said. “All in 2020.”

The memorial is located in front of the Tulsa Police Training Center.