Longtime Georgia officer dies after being exposed to COVID-19 while on duty

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A small Georgia community is mourning the death of a longtime police officer who died from complications of COVID-19.

The Port Wentworth Police Department said Lt. Dale Sylvester Jr. died Wednesday. The department said his death was the result of an exposure to COVID-19 while on duty.

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The department said Sylvester served with the Port Wentworth Police Department for approximately 5 years. He retired from the Chatham County Police Department / Chatham County District Attorney’s office after 26 years of dedicated service.

The department said Sylvester will be missed by his coworkers.

“Please keep the Sylvester family, his friends, and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers,” the department wrote on Facebook.

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Hundreds of people left their condolences on the department’s Facebook page announcing the death.

“Oh my goodness he was such a good man! He was sweet and always so kind to me!! I’m saddened to hear this!! My condolences to his family!” one woman wrote.

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