In Memory of Lieutenant Bobby Almager

On Friday, July 10, 2020, Lieutenant Bobby Almager died due to complications from contracting COVID19 while on duty. Hundreds of law enforcement officers have been killed due to the pandemic. Almager, badge 4104, most likely contracted the virus during his work as a law enforcement officer. Almager was 53 years old. Almager had served as a law enforcement officer for over 24 years.

Almager contracted the virus during a severe outbreak within the agency. Multiple officers on his squad became very sick due to the fast-spreading nature of the virus. Texas has been hit extremely hard by this deadly pandemic. Texas has lost more law enforcement officers to the coronavirus than any other state.

The state has more officers than other states, not just due to its size but due to its push to provide employment opportunities through privatized and publicly owned prisons. Texas has 108 correctional facilities and incarcerates 8.4 out of every 1000 residents. These facilities were not designed for pandemic response or social distancing. However, communities in the surrounding vicinity of these correctional centers have outbreaks that can be traced back to the facility when employees bring the virus home to their families.

Lieutenant Bobby Almager served with the Corpus Christi International Airport Department of Public Safety. His job required him to connect with and come into close contact with many people each day on the job. In addition, the nature of his work meant that he would also come into close contact with these travelers and their belongings.

Corpus Christi International Airport Department of Public Safety, Texas

Almager served with the Corpus Christi International Airport Public Safety. This law enforcement agency is all-encompassing in the services they provide. The agency includes Police, Fire, and EMS. This department provides law enforcement, fire safety, and emergency medical services 24 hours per day. Lieutenant Almager, an Airport Public Safety Officer, would have been cross-trained in all areas in order to provide the best public safety services while at the airport.

The CCIAPS provides emergency responses, but in the event of a severe incident with an aircraft or structure fire, these officers can call aid responses from the City of Corpus Christi. In addition, this Partnership allows the agency to focus on multiple levels of training with fewer, well-qualified staff who can provide paramedic level care for staff and passengers at the airport. The current staff count for the department is approximately 20 officers.

Remembrances

Lieutenant Almager leaves behind his wife and three daughters. The Almager family will join hundreds of thousands of US families who have lost a loved one to the virus. The residents, all of whom were touched in their lives in some way by Lt. Almager, lined the streets with flags and signs of gratitude as Almager was escorted home to his final resting place. Texas law enforcement honor guards helped provide the ceremonies for the service.

After losing Almager to this deadly virus, the department wanted to honor his life permanently. So the agency installed a new fire truck for the airport in memory of Lt. Almager. The truck was a way to leave a permanent memorial to the brave officer.

Lt. Almager’s wife, Terry Almager, was overwhelmed by the gesture. “Words can’t even be put into place of what they’ve done for him. I mean, it’s a proud moment, and proud isn’t even a word I can say. But it’s an honor that they’re dedicating this firetruck to my husband. It’s just heartwarming, you know. Every time this truck goes out on a call, my husband is going to be there, still doing his duties, just with angels behind him.”