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A Los Angeles firefighter and paramedic died from complications of COVID-19 on Saturday.
Jose M. Perez, a veteran with the department for more than 16 years, was at a local hospital when the virus claimed his life, the LAFD said in an online update. He was the first member of the department to die from COVID-19, according to KTLA-TV.
"Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas and the entire Department send their deepest and most sincere condolences to the Perez family," the department said in a statement.
A procession for Perez, 44, was held in the La Palma area Saturday and included members of the LAFD, the Orange County Fire Authority, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the La Palma Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. He was survived by his wife and three children.
According to the Los Angeles Times, at least 145 department employees have tested positive for the virus since March. Of those positive cases, 108 have returned to work and 36 are recovering at home.
