Officers of the Dallas Police Department gathered on Thursday, Sept. 23, to mourn the death of a department colleague who recently passed away.
A procession was held on Thursday afternoon for Senior Corporal Arnulfo Pargas, who died after being infected by COVID-19. Fellow officers escorted his body from U.T. Southwestern Hospital.
Pargas was diagnosed with COVID-19 on June 12. He was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator six days later. “He fought a great fight since June,” said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia.
Garcia said he spent time with Pargas a few weeks ago. Garcia said Pargas woke up, turned, and looked at him after he called out his name. “I said, ‘Hey, you can still follow orders,’ and he laughed a little about it,’” the police chief recalled.
“He’s the light of our house, and he’s there, and we are missing him because he’s there,” said Toni Pargas.
Friends and family of Pargas are described as the heart and soul of their community. “Even on his days off, Sunday, we would meet to grab food for the pantry or for someone in distress, families that needed emergency food,” said Pargas’ friend, Henry Martinez.
Robert Munoz, an officer of the Dallas Police Department, said Pargas was not only a good officer, a good friend, a good brother but also “the face of the community.” He continued, “We need to let the community know that we need to be safe and responsible and value your loved ones and your friendships and your family,” said Munoz.
Pargas worked in law enforcement for two decades and was stationed at the Lake West office for most of his time with the department.
