Tears fall as family loses mother and Everman police officer to COVID-19 within days
The tears fell Monday morning as Danet Arango-Henry tried to describe the heart-breaking experience her family has gone through in the past few days.
First, several members of the Arango family contracted COVID-19, including her older brother and mother, and the virus sent several other family members to Fort Worth hospitals.
Then, her older brother, 60-year-old Everman police officer Alex Arango, had to be put on a ventilator because of the coronavirus. He died Thursday morning.
Their mother, 81-year-old Carmen Arango, was in critical condition for days at the same hospital where her son died before she died Sunday afternoon.
“A family shouldn’t go through this,” Arango-Henry said Monday morning as she fought back the tears which have been falling for days.
And it’s not over yet.
Alex Arango’s son-in-law remained in a Fort Worth hospital Monday, battling COVID-19. Alex Arango’s wife and daughter are home recovering from their bout with the virus.
Tarrant County has reported a total of 63,792 COVID-19 cases, including 719 deaths and an estimated 51,073 recoveries.
“This is nothing short of a tragedy for the Arango family,” according to an Everman Emergency Services Facebook post on Sunday. “This family has lost two members of their family, just days apart. We ask that you please continue to keep the entire Arango family wrapped in prayer. We know that Officer Arango is welcoming and comforting his mother. Rest Easy Momma, we’ll take it from here.”
Officer Arango had contracted the coronavirus while on duty, according to the Everman Emergency Services Facebook page.
Everman Mayor Ray Richardson had said on Thursday that the city was saddened by the loss of Arango.
“He’s been a staple of this community for years,” Richardson said. “There have been tears at City Hall all day.”
Arango had served Everman and Tarrant County for 27 years.
His sister said Monday no one should take the virus lightly or not take precautions when they go out.
“Some people may think it’s a joke, but it’s not,” Arango-Henry said. “We’re advocates for taking precautions.”
An account has been established to help Arango’s family.
“Everyone is feeling the loss,” the Everman mayor has said. “We’ve lost a great guy.”
A funeral service for Carmen Arango and Alex Arango is pending.
“A cure just has to happen soon,” Arango-Henry said. “Too many people are dying.”
This story was originally published October 26, 2020 at 6:24 AM with the headline "Tears fall as family loses mother and Everman police officer to COVID-19 within days."
