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Incident
Detective Sergeant Stephen Desfosses died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 during a confirmed exposure while on duty.
Sergeant Desfosses was a United States Army and Army Reserve veteran and had served with the Norton Police Department for 30 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Detective Sergeant Stephen R. Desfosses died on January 13, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 52.
He 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
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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 Stephen. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw, salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 3 gates. Stephen is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Detective Sergeant Desfosses gave the Norton Police Department 30 years.
Thank you for your service to the Norton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Desfosses.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Stephen R. Desfosses served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Stephen is the only officer of Norton Police Department remembered here.
Stephen is one of 59 officers lost to illness in MA, 12.6% of the 469 remembered there.
Stephen is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Stephen 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 2021, 4 officers in MA were lost to illness, the 2nd heaviest of 18 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 35.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Stephen was 52. Of the 59 lost to illness in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 46; the middle age was 38. Stephen had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 11.4 years.
Stephen was 52. 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. Stephen had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Stephen was 52. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Stephen had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
January holds 5.1% of these deaths in MA; October holds the most, 27.1%. Wednesdays: 18.6%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
January holds 9.9% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Wednesdays: 13.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Norton Police Department.
Illness deaths account for 12.6% of all 469 deaths in MA, 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.
Where
Military Service
Stephen R. Desfosses served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Stephen R. Desfosses’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Norton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.