Lieutenant James Walker died as the result of complications after contracting COVID-19 during a presumed exposure while on duty.
Lieutenant Walker has served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 32 years and was assigned to the Traffic Division. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. He had planned to retire in November 2020.
In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.