Washington State Patrol trooper dies of COVID-19

A 38-year-old Washington State Patrol trooper died of COVID-19, the agency said Sunday morning.

WSP said Trooper Detective Eric Gunderson died after a “courageous battle” with the virus, which they say he contracted while “in service to the state of Washington.”

Gunderson worked for state patrol for nearly 16 years.

“He died peacefully surrounded by family, friends and love ones and is survived by his wife and two sons. He will be remembered well by his 2,300 friends and colleagues of the Washington State Patrol,” a news release from the agency said.

Gunderson is the 32nd member of WSP to die in the line of duty.

“Eric Gunderson was a respected trooper and public servant. His is the first line of duty death since we commemorated our first century of service to this state just a few weeks ago. How I had hoped our second century of service would be more forgiving. But serving the public, as we do, has inherent dangers and this pandemic has been a foe to our agency and indeed our state and nation,” WSP Chief John R. Batiste said.

A memorial service is currently being planned and more details will be announced at a later date.

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