Fort Lauderdale police officer dies after contracting COVID-19

Florida Highway Patrol announces death of trooper from ‘illness’

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Two Florida law enforcement agencies are mourning the loss of one of their own.

The Florida Lauderdale Police Department announced the death of Officer Jennifer Sepot on Saturday.

According to FLPD, Sepot passed away after contracting COVID-19 while on duty and experiencing complications related to the virus.

Sepot, who was assigned to the Road Patrol Division, had been with the department since April of 2017.

She is survived by her husband and the couple’s young child.

Also Saturday, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed the death of Trooper Lazaro Febles.

Febles served more than 11 years with FHP in Miami. He passed Saturday morning after succumbing “to illness,” FHP said.

A GoFundMe page created for Febels said he died due to COVID-19 complications.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Lazaro Febles. (Florida Highway Patrol)

The tragic deaths come as Florida continues to see a major spike in COVID-19 cases.

According to the Florida Department of Health, 286 Coronavirus-related deaths were reported over the past week.

It is unknown if either law enforcement officer received a vaccination or had an underlying condition.


About the Authors
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.

Bridgette Matter headshot

Bridgette Matter joined the Local 10 News team as a reporter in July 2021. Before moving to South Florida, she began her career in South Bend, Indiana and spent six years in Jacksonville as a reporter and weekend anchor.

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