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Retired Seminole Police Officer who survived shooting dies of coronavirus

WESTON, Fla. – A Seminole Police Officer who retired two months ago at the age of 76 has died after contracting the novel coronavirus, the department announced Saturday.

Officer Calvin ‘Cal’ Harrison died late Friday night at Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Weston.

Harrison had been in the hospital since March 27 to receive treatments and care for COVID-19.

He worked in law enforcement since 1978. “Cal spent over 28 years with the Seminole Tribe and was well-known in the Seminole community and in law enforcement circles,” said William Latchford, Executive Director for Public Safety of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. “He was always a survivor, but sadly, he couldn’t survive the coronavirus.”

According to Seminole Police, in 1995 Harrison survived after being shot in the head by a rape suspect during a search of a Hollywood home.

The suspect was later convicted of rape and of shooting Harrison in the left temple with a .38 caliber gun at point blank range.

Harrison was released from the hospital nine days after the shooting.

He retired on Feb. 25 of this year. It isn’t believed that he had any contact with any other officers before contracting the virus.

Marcellus Osceola, Jr., chariman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, released a statement about Harrison: “He went above and beyond the call of duty. The whole Tribe was praying for him.”

His family tells Local 10 that he fought the virus until the very end. They said the death is tough, but his giving spirit is still bringing comfort to so many.

Harrison is survived by two sons, Calvin and James Harrison, and his brother, David Harrison.


About the Authors
Terrell Forney headshot

Terrell Forney joined Local 10 News in October 2005 as a general assignment reporter. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, but a desire to escape the harsh winters of the north brought him to South Florida.

David Dwork headshot

David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.

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