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Lieutenant Dale Sylvester died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Lieutenant Sylvester was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Port Wentworth Police Department in the Criminal Investigations Division for five years. After serving for 26 years, he retired from the Chatham County Police Department.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Lieutenant Dennis Dale Sylvester Jr. died on August 11, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 55.
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, three children, parents, sister, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp3j40jhdc8m4d3pha3h- 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 Dennis. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw, salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 3 gates. Dennis is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Lieutenant Sylvester gave the Port Wentworth Police Department 31 years.
Thank you for your service to the Port Wentworth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Sylvester.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dennis Dale Sylvester Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Dennis is the only officer of Port Wentworth Police Department remembered here.
Dennis is one of 63 officers lost to illness in GA, 7% of the 905 remembered there.
Dennis is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Dennis 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, 43 officers in GA 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
Dennis was 55. Of the 62 lost to illness in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 42.3 and 57; the middle age was 54. Dennis had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 21.5 years.
Dennis was 55. 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. Dennis had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Dennis was 55. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Dennis had served 31 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
August holds 23.8% of these deaths in GA; September holds the most, 30.2%. Wednesdays: 12.7%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Wednesdays: 14%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Wednesdays: 13.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Port Wentworth Police Department.
Illness deaths account for 7% of all 905 deaths in GA, 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
Dennis Dale Sylvester Jr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Dennis Dale Sylvester Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Port Wentworth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.