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Incident
Lieutenant Kristina Zell died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Lieutenant Zell had served with the Niagara Falls Police Department for over 22 years and was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. She had previously served with the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Lieutenant Kristina Zell died on November 7, 2022 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. She was 47.
She is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
She is survived by her parents and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmn0hzedxxay9d5js2c4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Kristina. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Kristina is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Lieutenant Zell gave the Niagara Falls Police Department 22 years.
Thank you for your service to the Niagara Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Zell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Niagara Falls Police Department has lost 7 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Kristina is one of 630 officers lost to illness in NY, 29.5% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Kristina is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Kristina is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 45 officers in NY were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 41 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 65.
In 2022, 135 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2022, 140 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Kristina was 47. Of the 615 lost to illness in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 48.5 and 61; the middle age was 55. Kristina had served 22.5 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Kristina was 47. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Kristina had served 22.5 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Kristina was 47. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Kristina had served 22.5 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
November holds 7.9% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 14%. Mondays: 12.2%.
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Mondays: 14.2%.
November holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at Niagara Falls Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 29.5% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
Her people
Niagara Falls Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Kristina among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Niagara Falls Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
