Owasso Police Department, Oklahoma
End of Watch Sunday, August 29, 2021
Patrol Officer Buddy Pales died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Officer Pales had served with the Owasso Police Department for 29 years. He is survived by his daughter, two grandchildren, parents, and two brothers.
Beginning in early 2020, due to the requirements of their job, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the United States contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Hundreds of law enforcement officers died from medical complications as a result of contracting the virus while remaining on duty and interacting with the community.