Veteran Brookhaven police officer Lt. Marzell Brooks died Sunday night from COVID-19-related causes, according to Brookhaven Police Department Chief Kenneth Collins.

A 28-year veteran of BPD, Brooks also served as a school resource officer for Brookhaven School District.

“Officer Brooks loved God. He loved his family and he loved the community that he served,” said Collins. “Most of all, he loved the kids in the Brookhaven School District where he protected them at all times, at every game, every event.”

Collins said Brooks, 58, contracted the coronavirus at an event where he was ensuring the safety of the children.

“He caught it serving his community and protecting these kids,” Collins said. “He died doing what he loved.”

“He will be missed — the joy that he brought,” said Chief Collins, “but he can never be replaced.”