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John Edward Reynolds
Incident
Lieutenant John Reynolds died of complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in a confirmed exposure while on duty.
Lieutenant Reynolds had served with the Garden Grove Police Department for 25 years and had previously served with the Orange County Probation Department for nine years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Lieutenant John Edward Reynolds died on January 17, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 59.
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, son, and two daughters.
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.
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Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Lieutenant Reynolds gave the Garden Grove Police Department 34 years.
Thank you for your service to the Garden Grove community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Reynolds.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Garden Grove Police Department has lost 6 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
John is one of 75 officers lost to illness in CA, 4.1% of the 1,839 remembered there.
John is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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, 25 officers in CA were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
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
John was 59. Of the 75 lost to illness in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 53; the middle age was 48. John had served 34 years; the middle length of service was 19 years.
John was 59. 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. John had served 34 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
John was 59. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. John had served 34 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
January holds 13.3% of these deaths in CA, more than any other month. Sundays: 12%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Sundays: 14.2%.
January holds 9.9% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Sundays: 13.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 16.7% of all 6 deaths at Garden Grove Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 4.1% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, 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.
His people
Garden Grove Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 22-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
5 officers from Garden Grove Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
