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Clermont police officer dies from COVID-19

Clermont Police Officer Conrad Buckley. Photo: CPD
Clermont Police Officer Conrad Buckley. Photo: CPD

The Clermont Police Department has announced the death of an officer from COVID-19.

The officer, 52-year-old Conrad Buckley, became ill after a trip to Boston.

[caption id="attachment_153217" align="alignleft" width="390"]

Clermont Police Officer Conrad Buckley. Photo: CPD[/caption]

Buckley had served the city as a patrolman for two years. Before that, he worked for more than 10 years at the Northeastern University Police Department in Boston.

He died Tuesday morning at AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares.

"He was an outstanding police officer who cared greatly for his fellow officers and the community," Police Chief Charles Broadway in a prepared statement. "He took tremendous pride in being a police officer and carried himself with confidence and integrity. Today, the City of Clermont lost a good cop and a great man."

Buckley had returned from a family emergency in Boston early this month and went into self-quarantine. Then he developed symptoms and sought medical help.

According to the Clermont Police Department, he is survived by a wife of 14 years and adult children.

Florida has lost more than 1,200 people to the coronovirus. America has lost more than 60,000.

Joe Byrnes came to Central Florida Public Media from the Ocala Star-Banner and The Gainesville Sun, where he worked as a reporter and editor for several years. Joe graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans and turned to journalism after teaching. He enjoys freshwater fishing and family gatherings.