The Leading Authority For Campus Public Safety

COVID-19: Fallen Officers

COVID-19: Fallen Officers

 

IACLEA honors the campus security, police, and public safety officers who have died as a result of Coronavirus. Each one is beloved by their agency, family, and campus community. We share a little about them here. Please see IACLEA's Facebook and Twitter pages on the dates noted to leave a memorial message.

Jeff Smith

End of watch: January 29, 2021.  Berry College Police Department (Georgia, USA) 

Sgt. Smith served Berry College continuously for 25 years. In 2020, Sgt. Smith was awarded the Oris W. Bryant Officer of the Year Award from the Georgia Association of Campus Law Enforcement. The chief said Sgt. Smith was nominated for his professionalism and general dedication to campus service. You can read about Sgt. Smith here

Steve Hemphill

End of watch: January 16, 2021. Lanier Techincal College Police Department (Georgia, USA)

“Steve Hemphill was not just a police officer at Lanier Technical College Police Department. He was my friend," Chief Jeff Strickland said of Hemphill, whom he called a "great police officer" whose family was most important to him. "The Lanier Technical College Police Department is a small department that allows us to become very close," Strickland said. "We are devastated by the loss of our friend and fellow officer. Steve touched us all in a special way and will be sorely missed but never forgotten.” [ Quotes appeared in a story on 11alive.com. You can read the story. ]

Maurice J. Conner

End of watch: January 20, 2021. Lipscomb University Office of Security and Safety. (Tennessee, USA)

Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry said, "As I have spent time over the last few days with our campus security officers, the deep and profound respect and love the security team had for Maurice was obvious as they relayed stories about shared work experiences, his humorous radio calls to dispatch to report on weather conditions during the third shift, and their lively conversations about faith, theology and life."

Officer Conner was a graduate of the university, and he began his service in the security department in July of 1983.

Sgt. Parnell Guyton

End of watch: July 31, 2020. Member institution University of Alabama at Birmingham Police and Public Safety Department. Sgt. Parnell Guyton succombed to COVID-19 after a nearly two-month battle. 

In a joint statement, UAB President Ray L. Watts and UAB Chief of Police Anthony Purcell said: "His fighting spirit, bravery and love have inspired us and warmed our hearts, and now our hearts go out to his family, friends and colleagues, who will miss him dearly. If you knew Sergeant Guyton, you are fortunate and better for it. He was an exemplary officer and dear friend. Most importantly, he was a beloved husband and father..."

You can learn more about Sgt. Guyton

Officer James Cornacchia

End of watch: June 1, 2020. Member institution Georgia Tech Police Department lost a good friend and longtime officer on June 1, when Officer James Cornacchia succumbed to COVID-19. He was 42 years old and had served the Georgia Tech community for nearly 20 years, most recently working as part of the patrol unit. 

Colleagues said he was a very involved father and law enforcement officer.  James loved being a Cub Master for Cub Scouting and an Assistant Scout Manager for the Boy Scouts of America. He participated in many events and trips with the youth in his community.

You can learn more about Officer Cornacchia: https://gf.me/u/x649v5

Public Safety Officer Rodney Mack

End of watch: April 5, 2020. "Mack" served with member institution New York University Public Safety for 21 years, 19 with the College of Dentistry. Said NYU Res Life and Housing: “Many of our staff worked closely with Officer Mack and remember him for his kindness and service to the NYU community.” LEARN MORE about Mack. IACLEA published memorial posts on April 10, if you wish to leave a comment.  

 

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