Officer Marco Di Franco R.I.P.

A Chicago police officer has died after being diagnosed with COVID-19, officials announced Thursday.

Fifty-year-old Marco Di Franco, a highly-decorated 21-year veteran of the force who worked in the narcotics division, contracted the virus last week and was hospitalized over the weekend.

"Unfortunately the severity of the virus became overwhelming and he passed away," Chicago Mayor
Lori Lightfoot said.

It remained unclear if the officer had any underlying conditions that made him high-risk for the virus.

He is survived by his wife and two children, ages 7 and 10. His brother is a fellow member of the police department who also works in the same narcotics division, officials said.

 We are devasted to confirm that #COVID19 has hit the Chicago Police Department and a dedicated family of city public servants very hard.  We will join Mayor Lori Lightfoot at 11am at a press conference to provide additional detail. Please tune in to the stream @chicagosmayor
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Officer Marco Di Franco, a first generation Italian American was assigned to an undercover narcotics team. His first love was his family, his second was being a Chicago cop and lastly his heritage and collection of Italian sports cars. He was one hell of a policeman.


The death marks a first in the department, which as of Wednesday reported more than 60 confirmed cases citywide.

"His sacrifice underscores the threats that are faced by public service employees that by their profession are not allowed to shelter in place at home," Interim Supt. Charlie Beck said Thursday.