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Incident
Detective Chris Widner died from complications of contracting COVID-19 while performing his duties as an investigator.
Detective Widner served with the Paris Police Department for 11 years.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Detective Manuel Christopher Widner died on August 22, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 47.
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 son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp3k86kb7m9yyn7591a3- 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 Manuel. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Manuel is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Detective Widner gave the Paris Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Paris community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Widner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
Paris Police Department has lost 5 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Manuel is one of 204 officers lost to illness in TX, 8.4% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Manuel is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Manuel 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, 99 officers in TX 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
Manuel was 47. Of the 201 lost to illness in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 59; the middle age was 53. Manuel had served 11.2 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Manuel 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. Manuel had served 11.2 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Manuel 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. Manuel had served 11.2 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
August holds 14.7% of these deaths in TX; September holds the most, 16.7%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Sundays: 14.2%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Sundays: 13.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Paris Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.4% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, 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
Paris Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Manuel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
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
4 officers from Paris Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
