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Retired Unified Police officer dies after battle with COVID-19

The 53-year-old was hospitalized for more than 30 days.

(Photo courtesy of Unified Police Department) Hugh Bennett died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, after a lengthy battle with COVID-19.

  | Feb. 12, 2021, 11:40 p.m.
| Updated: Feb. 13, 2021, 2:36 a.m.

A retired Unified Police Department officer died Wednesday after being placed on a ventilator because of COVID-19.

Hugh Bennett, 53, began his work as an officer at the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office in 1995. He joined the UPD in 2010 and retired in 2015. He worked in numerous roles including as a SWAT team operator and field training officer. He won awards including the Division Commanders Award and a Distinguished Unit Citation.

The police department said in a Facebook post that he waged an “arduous battle” with the virus.

“After being hospitalized for more than 30 days, resuscitated once and placed on a ventilator, Hugh’s courageous fight against this disease ended,” reads the post.