Senior Corporal Arnulfo Pargas died after months of battling COVID-19. He tested positive for the virus on June 12.
DALLAS – A procession was held on Thursday afternoon to honor the life and career of a Dallas police officer who lost his battle with COVID-19.
Senior Corporal Arnulfo Pargas’s body was escorted from UT Southwestern Hospital by his colleagues.
“He’s had a big fight since June,” said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia.
Pargas tested positive for COVID-19 on June 12, and six days later he was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator.
Pargas’ wife Toni said the day her husband was to be vaccinated with the family that he was working and planning to leave later. But he tested positive and ended up in the hospital on a ventilator before that could happen.
“He is the light of our house and he is there and we miss him because he is there,” said Toni Pargas.
His family read the Bible to Pargas daily as he struggled to survive.
The WFAA spoke to his family and friends in July, and they called Pargas the “heart and soul” of their community.
“Even on his days off, Sunday, we met to get food for the pantry or someone for someone in need, families in need of emergency food,” said Pargas’ friend Henry Martinez.
Chief Garcia said he only spent time with Pargas a few weeks ago.
“I called his name. He was sleeping and he woke up and turned and looked at me and I said, ‘Hey, you can still obey orders and he laughed a little about it,’ “Garcia said.
His colleagues held back tears on Thursday as they discussed what he meant to the department and the community.
“He wasn’t just a good officer, a good friend, a good brother. He was the face of the community, ”said Robert Munoz of the Dallas Police Department.
Pargas worked with the company for two decades, most of which he worked from the Lake West office.
“We need to let the community know that we need to be safe, responsible, and value your loved ones, your friendships and your family,” said Munoz.
Pargas was taken to the Hughes Family Tribute Center not far from his home in West Dallas.
His family and friends said he was there at peace and no longer suffering. He leaves his wife Toni and their children behind.
Pargas is the second Dallas police officer to die of COVID.
Check out the entire procession below:
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