EL CENTRO, California -- An El Centro police officer died this week following a battle with COVID-19.
Officer Efren Coronel had been hospitalized in San Diego over the past three weeks before finally succumbing to the illness on Wednesday, according to The Imperial Valley Press.
"It’s a tough time for the family and many police department personnel," El Centro Police Comander Aaron Reel told the newspaper. "I worked my entire career with Efren. He was my hero."
The 51-year-old was a 24-year veteran of the El Centro Police Department and served as a senior patrol officer and was assigned Officer in Charge for his patrol team.
Coronel began his carrer with the department on Dec. 17, 1996 and past assignments included school resource officer at Central Union High School, traffic investigations and motor officer. He was also active in youth athletics and served many years as coach of the Dynamo girls’ soccer team.
He is survived by his wife and their son and a daughter.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
