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COCONUT CREEK, FLA. (WSVN) - The Broward Sheriff’s Office has announced a second employee has lost her life to COVID-19.
Communications Operator Nikima Thompson died on Monday.
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony hosted a news conference to give further details on Thompson’s death.
“Today, I called for a press conference to notify the community of something they’re probably already aware of because social media,” he said. “We have suffered another loss in the organization as it relates to the COVID-19 virus. Unfortunately, last night, we lost one of our communications specialists, Nikima Thompson. She had been employed with the agency for over 16 years, 41 years of age.”
Thompson worked at the North Center in the Coconut Creek Police Department.
“March 22 was her last day serving within the North Regional Communications Center, in terms of her shift of duty,” said Tony.
Thompson tested positive for the virus on April 2 and was hospitalized for several weeks before passing.
“Unfortunately, she had to go on a ventilator and fight this battle for quite some time, and her family had to make a very difficult decision as most of her organs and things of that nature had failed, and they had to remove her from the ventilator,” said Tony. “They made that decision last night at roughly 7 p.m., and, of course, Nikima lost her life to this virus.”
Tony encouraged the public to pray for those affected by Thompson’s death.
“I want to reach out and say, keep your prayers at heart, for not only this agency, but for her family,” he said. “She leaves behind four kids, siblings and many other loved ones who are suffering from this.”
Thompson’s mother is also fighting the coronavirus.
“Her mother, herself, is also fighting this COVID-19 and dealing with a very similar battle, as she is navigating through her health issues,” said Tony.
The sheriff ensured the public that they were with them in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
“Just another reminder that this agency is suffering along with this community, and that we are still trying to fight our way through this virus,” said Tony. “We still have our own uncertainties, but we still continue to serve. This is the first, from my understanding, communications specialist or dispatcher to lose their life in the line of duty, in this state, to this virus. We are going to honor her like we would do any fallen public safety professional.”
Tony further said, “From leaving this podium, we will go straight to preparing to do a honor transport of her body to the final destination, in terms of funeral services that their family has requested of us. Again, this is a battle that we’re all fighting … Although we are shaken, we are not broken, and we will not waver from our responsibilities to this community.”
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