LAFD pays last respects to firefighter who died from COVID-19

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Loved ones and coworkers paid their final respects on Saturday to a Los Angeles city firefighter who passed away last month due to complications from COVID-19.

They attended an outdoor funeral service for Jose M. Perez in Los Alamitos.

The 44-year-old firefighter and paramedic spent nine days in the hospital, dying one day after being placed on a ventilator.

1st firefighter paramedic with the Los Angeles Fire Department dies from COVID-19

The first firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department has died due to COVID-19, the agency confirmed.

The Los Angeles Fire Department reported as of the end of last week, 157 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Ten of them remain isolated at home while the others have recovered and returned to duty.

Perez has been the agency's only death related to COVID-19.

Perez had worked for the department for more than 16 years.

He is survived by his wife Heidi and three children.