Marquis Kennedy, one of the Arlington Police Department recruit officers, was pronounced dead earlier this week.
Kennedy joined other members of his training course to participate in defensive drills on September 23. At some point, he told a training staff that he did not feel well and was excused from the training class.
Kennedy was placed under the supervision of a member of the training staff for close monitoring. However, he soon collapsed.
Authorities said the training staff sprung to action immediately and began performing CPR on him until paramedics arrived to take him to the hospital.
The Arlington Police Department announced on Monday that Kennedy died in the hospital the day before. The cause of his death is yet to be determined.
Recruit Officer Kennedy belonged to the Academy Class 62 that began instruction on July 25. Arlington Police Chief Al Jones Kennedy had kind words for the departed officer, saying his future in the police force was “beautiful.”
Thanking Kennedy for his service to the city, he also sent love to his bereaved family.
“I ask the community to join me in lifting up his immediate and police families with love and prayer during this extremely difficult time,” he said.
Kennedy’s family echoed Chief Jones’ description of Kennedy as they also testified that he was a great son, brother, husband, and father.
Fellow recruit officers and training officials have been provided a support team. His funeral took place on Thursday.
