Police Officer Steve Hemphill died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 during a presumed exposure while on duty while providing support at a health screening checkpoint at the main campus in Gainesville, Georgia.
Officer Hemphill had served with the Lanier Technical College Police Department for three years. He had previously served with the Gainesville Police Department for 20 years, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office for two years, and the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office for 11 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.
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.