Family, friends mourn Chicago 911 dispatcher who died of COVID-19

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Monday, November 30, 2020
Chicago 911 dispatcher who died of COVID-19 remembered
Guadalupe Lopez, a Chicago 911 dispatcher who died from COVID-19 last month, was remembered by the city he served Monday.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago 911 dispatcher who died from COVID-19 earlier this month was remembered by the city he served Monday.

Co-workers remembered Guadalupe Lopez for providing a calm, reassuring voice for 911 callers for decades.

Colleagues of the longtime Office of Emergency Management and Communications dispatcher saluted his casket-parked right in front of his workplace of over 33 years.

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"This partly shows the type of person Lupe was and what he meant to the City of Chicago," said Rich Guidice.

Lopez's longtime partner shared a heartfelt tribute.

"I'm Lyna, and Lupe and I were partners for over 22 years. So today is going to be a solemn day for most of us up here. So keep us in your thoughts and your prayers," she said.

Lopez, 58, died after contracting COVID-19 in November.

Lopez's wife, Maria, remains hospitalized in the ICU with the virus and has been placed on a ventilator.

The Lopez family has urged people to take the coronavirus seriously, especially now during the holiday season.

Lopez is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.