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Rutland Police detective loses battle with COVID-19

RUTLAND, Mass. — Rutland Police Detective John Songy lost his battle with COVID-19 just after midnight Friday, according to his wife Joanne.

On Friday, his cruiser sat in front of Rutland Police Department, black bunting hanged from the building to honor his memory.

“John was a great man, a great police officer and completely beloved by this community," said Rutland Police Chief Nicholas Monaco.

His wife, Joanne, who spoke to Boston 25 about his battle with the coronavirus, fought firecely on his behalf to get John the best care, medicine and even a blood plasma transfusion.

“I would like to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for the prayers, love, and support that you have given to me and our family,” Joanne said in a post on Facebook.

Songy was fighting the coronavirus at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester since he was admitted on May 2 for shortness of breath.

Joanne, a nurse, also tested positive for the coronavirus, but recovered while self-isolating at home.

In a Facebook post on Friday she said:

“It is with a broken heart that I had to say good bye to my best friend and love of my life. John lost his battle to COVID-19."

John tested positive at the end of April. He was hospitalized soon after that. Joanne’s posts and on social media gave updates on John’s twists and turns fighting COVID.

“It was a big struggle and he fought a lot longer and harder than anyone expected," said Monaco.

Support from the community poured in. John ended up in the ICU at St. Vincent’s in Worcester. At one point, a convoy to show support was organized.

“Police cars, hot rods jeeps and we were expecting maybe a couple of hundred vehicles turned out to be close to a thousand vehicles,” said Monaco.

That was how the community responded to his passing. An officer for 8 years in Rutland, John was well-loved in the town.

“We leave the world with dignity when we leave in the arms of love and the care you of others," said Michael Nicholson, Rutland’s town administrator.

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RESOURCES:

- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information

- Boston Coronavirus Information

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