James Michael Cornacchia
Incident
Investigator James Cornacchia died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 during a presumed exposure while on duty.
Investigator Cornacchia had served with the Georgia Institute of Technology Police Department for 19 years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Investigator.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Investigator James Michael Cornacchia died on June 1, 2020 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 42.
He is one of 884 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 sons, parents, and siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-32B40EF3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Investigator Cornacchia gave the Georgia Institute of Technology Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Cornacchia.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Investigator James Michael Cornacchia is one of 2,974 officers lost to illness connected to their service across the full record of this memorial — 9.1% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 63 of 903 officers were lost to illness connected to their service — 7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.1 percentage points below the national rate of 9.1%.
At Georgia Institute of Technology Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were lost to illness connected to their service — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Illness compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Michael Cornacchia's cause is highlighted.
How James Michael Cornacchia Compares
When Illness Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Illness deaths across the full memorial record. James Michael Cornacchia is highlighted in Jun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Georgia Institute of Technology Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
