As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge throughout California and the surrounding United States, Sonoma county has been faced with over 100 cases. One of these cases resulted in the untimely death of Marylou Armer, a beloved police detective with the Santa Rosa Police Department.

After 20 years of serving her community, her end of watch was on March 31 after becoming ill following a positive diagnosis for the COVID-19 virus. She was the first to fall victim to the virus in Sonoma County.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat is reporting that Armer sought medical attention after falling ill and was twice denied her request of a coronavirus test by Kaiser Permanente’s Vallejo Medical Center.

Armer was just 43-years-old at the time of her passing. The Santa Rosa community continues to grieve the loss of the admired detective.

While Armer’s family has chosen to keep their privacy during this time of loss, the SRPD was able to fill in and share their kind words of their late detective. In a press release video, SRPD’s Chief Rainer Navarro said Armer was “a bright light in [the SRPD] organization.”

She began as a field evidence technician in the fall before the turn of the century. This career path led her into the police academy where she graduated and became a sworn officer in 2008. Before her passing, Armer was a detective for the domestic violence and sexual assault unit within SRPD.

Stephan Bussell, a friend and former colleague of Armer, was seen at the City Hall press conference sharing his grief of the tragic loss for SRPD. He also shared with the public that the Santa Rosa Police Officers Association has opened up a donation account created to aid Armer’s family.

Another former colleague, retired SRPD Sergeant, Blaine Hunt, said “If you needed her, she was there,” and attested to Armer’s fantastic work ethic and good morals.

It is clear that Armer will be missed by the family she created at SRPD and the community alike. She was an upstanding officer who in the words of Police Chief Navarro, “was a thoughtful and committed public servant who loved helping people and loved the people she worked with.”

On the morning of April 3, Detective Marylou Armer was remembered through a procession of public safety vehicles that set out upon Highway 101. The row of police vehicles headed south with lights and sirens to memorialize the life lost.

The procession followed its way to the hospital where Armer lost her life, Solano County Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo. SRPD was faced with a challenging time under pandemic orders to Shelter in Place however they did the most they could during this time.

Many more wanted to participate in the procession but were unable to due to community needs and California orders. Chief Navarro was quoted at the procession saying: “It just doesn’t feel like it’s done.” For the department and family of Armer, that will continue to hold true.

This time is full of grief and the inability to process grief to the full capacity due to community restrictions against public gatherings only adds to the emotional distress.

The SRPD took this time to acknowledge the uncertainty of the challenges the US is currently facing. It assured the public they are doing the best that they can to keep the community and its officers safe.

As the pandemic rips through the world, it shows that no one is immune to its destruction. During this time it is important to listen to public service announcements and follow the important safety guidelines put in place by city and county officials.

The department still faces more hardship as nine of its officers have come in contact with the COVID-19 virus and await the challenges to come.

The Santa Rosa and surrounding Sonoma County communities will remember Detective Marylou Armer as a proud public servant who was dedicated to the city she served and those she served with. She was the first public servant in California to pass away due to complications from the COVID-19 virus.

Detective Marylou Armer, End Of Watch: March 31, 2020.