Rockwall Police Department Ofc. Tracy Gaines dies of COVID-19 complications

ROCKWALL, Texas — Rockwall Police Department Officer Tracy Gaines died early Monday morning of COVID-19 complications, the department confirmed today.

ROCKWALL, Texas — Rockwall Police Department Officer Tracy Gaines died early Monday morning of COVID-19 complications, the department confirmed today.

"We are heartbroken," stated Rockwall Police Department Chief Max Geron. "Tracy Gaines was a lifelong servant leader. He was a husband and a father."

"He was beloved by the students at Rockwall HS whom he protected and mentored as an SRO and will be dearly missed by his Rockwall police family and this city as a whole," continued Geron.

Gaines was hospitalized on July 11, 2020, and underwent various treatments to try and mitigate the effects of COVID-19, according to the department.

Gaines joined the Rockwall Police Department in 2005 and most recently served as a School Resource Officer (SRO)at Rockwall High School. He previously served as an SRO at Williams Middle School and as a Field Training Officer in the Patrol Division.

In 2018, then-Chief Kirk Riggs presented Gaines with a Life Saving Award. Gaines also received a Marksmanship Award and 5-year Safe Driving Award.

"The Rockwall Police Department is grateful for the incredible outpouring of support for his wife and two sons," stated the department.

Donations are being accepted by the Assist The Officer Foundation in Dallas at atodallas.org.

In honor of Officer Gaines' service to the citizens of Rockwall, a squad car has been placed as a memorial at Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium, located at 1215 T. L. Townsend Drive in Rockwall.

Before joining the Rockwall Police Department, Gaines joined the United State Air Force in 1989 and, after 10 years of active duty, became a member of the Texas National Guard.