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Police Officer John Mestas died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Officer Sneed was Officer Mestas' field training officer when they both contracted COVID-19.
Officer Mestas was a veteran of both the United States Army and the United States Air Force Reserves. He had served with the Double Oaks Police Department for three months and 15 years with the Hillsboro Police Department, Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Tarrant County Hospital District Police Department, and Somervell County Sheriff's Office.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Police Officer John Mestas died on February 7, 2022 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 45.
He is one of 885 officers honored here, and one of 2 at Double Oak Police Department.
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 John. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Police Officer Mestas gave the Double Oak Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Double Oak community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mestas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Mestas served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Double Oak Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
John is one of 204 officers lost to illness in TX, 8.4% of the 2,423 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 2022, 19 officers in TX were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 20 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 99.
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
John was 45. Of the 201 lost to illness in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 59; the middle age was 53. John had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
John was 45. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
John was 45. 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 15 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
February holds 8.3% of these deaths in TX; September holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 14.7%.
February holds 6.1% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Mondays: 14.2%.
February holds 6.6% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Mondays: 14.6%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Double Oak Police Department.
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
Double Oak Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Military Service
John Mestas served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Mestas’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 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Double Oak Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
