Daveen Rae Kurutz
Beaver County Times
AMBRIDGE, Pa. — A second Beaver County community lost one of its leaders this weekend.
Ambridge Police Chief Mark Romutis died Sunday evening from complications related to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
“Chief Mark Romutis was a very good and kind man,” Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier said. “He was a strong leader who provided stability and moral guidance to the borough of Ambridge.”
This was Romutis’ second term as police chief for the borough. He also served as police chief in Ellwood City for more than four years and was working as a deputy under Sheriff Tony Guy when he was tapped to become Ambridge’s chief again in August 2018.
Guy said Romutis was a good friend and a great police officer.
“He was a good cop who had a great career,” Guy said. “A good family man, a husband and father. He went too soon, too early.”
Romutis tested positive for COVID-19 in late March. Ambridge officials said he developed symptoms on March 20 and was recovering at home. At the time, Mayor David Drewnowski said the officer was eager to return to work as soon as possible.
Guy said he heard Romutis was recovering well until late this week.
Romutis was an upbeat and happy man, officials said. Lozier recalled the Hawaiian-style shirts he would wear over his uniform shirts after his shifts were over.
“He was always smiling and always talking,” Lozier said. “After work, or when he would run a personal errand, he would wear a patterned Hawaiian shirt over top. He was a good man, a great family man who will be missed.”
Romutis, of Conway, is the second police chief to die this weekend. Aliquippa Acting Police Chief Robert Sealock died Saturday evening after a several week battle following a respiratory emergency while on shift in late March.
The Beaver County Board of Commissioners were saddened to hear of Romutis’ death.
“We extend our condolences to his family, friends, co-workers, and the Ambridge community in general,” chief county solicitor Garen Fedeles said on behalf of the board in a statement. “This is a difficult time for all Beaver County’s law enforcement agencies, and with the loss of two leaders in such a short period of time, we extend our sympathy and continued support to all of them as well.”