Three LPD officers sidelined by COVID-19

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     “It’s rough,” Chief Gary Buley of the Loris Police Department says of having one-quarter of his force sidelined by COVID-19.”

     One of the three officers who have tested positive for the coronavirus is “very sick,” Buley said, and receiving care in a hospital.

     Neither of the other two have shown severe symptoms, and may be cleared to return to duty as early as this weekend with a negative COVID test, Buley said. At least one of those positive cases involved an officer who received a COVID-19 vaccination and became infected anyway, Buley said.

     With 11 sworn officers on the LPD force, three officers out puts a strain on those still working, Buley said.

     “I’m not sure if I’m coming or going, but we’re managing,” Buley said.

     Loris Fire Department has one member currently infected, but not showing symptoms, LFD Chief Jerry Hardee said Tuesday.

     Look for more on this story in the next Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.