Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS, La. — A New Orleans man whose father died due to the novel coronavirus was sworn into the city’s police force wearing his late father’s badge.
Mark Hall Jr.’s mother placed her late husband’s officer badge on her son’s new uniform during the personal ceremony held on Wednesday, the New Orleans Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Hall was unable to attend the Training Academy graduation ceremony on May 1 due to the loss of his father, Mark Hall Sr., who passed away a day earlier. While Hall ’s final exam and graduation were initially put on hold, the department said he was “undeterred by the tragic loss” and was able to pass his final exam.
The elder had served on the city’s police force for more than 30 years before his COVID-19 diagnosis in early April, news outlets reported. His son will now continue the family’s legacy of service to New Orleans, the department said.
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