Funeral for El Paso-based DPS trooper who died of Covid-19
UPDATE, June 22: The funeral procession and services took place Tuesday afternoon for Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Paul Mooney, 52, of El Paso, who recently died in the line of duty after contracting Covid-19 while battling cancer.
His body was transported from Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, located at 4631 Hondo Pass, to Abundant Living Faith Center's Westside Campus, located at 7100 North Desert Boulevard, for afternoon funeral services. (You can watch the entire funeral service in the video player below.)
ORIGINAL REPORT, June 18: EL PASO, Texas – A veteran El Paso-based Texas Department of Public Safety trooper has died in the line of duty after contracting Covid-19 while battling cancer, state officials said Friday as they expressed "great sadness" at the loss.
Sgt. Paul Mooney, 52, died this week at a local hospital after apparently contracting the virus while on the job. He had served as a DPS trooper since 2008 after retiring from the U.S. Army.
“Sergeant Paul Mooney dedicated his life to protecting and serving the people of this nation, first in the United States Army and then as a commissioned officer with DPS,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “We will never forget his commitment, and we send our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues.”
Most recently in his 13-years as a state trooper, Mooney was responsible for recruiting, testing and mentoring applicants for the DPS Academy. During his prior Army career, this well-decorated serviceman had been stationed around the globe - including for a time at Fort Bliss - and saw combat on numerous occasions in the Middle East.
His colleagues said Mooney loved dancing, hunting, watching NASCAR and most of all, spending time with his seven children and six grandchildren. He was the 224th DPS officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, state officials indicated.
Funeral services were set for 4 p.m. Tuesday at Abundant Living Faith Center's Westside Campus, located at 7100 North Desert Boulevard, to be followed by DPS honors. The service will be preceded by a public viewing from 1 to 2 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, located at 4631 Hondo Pass.
Those wanting to send flowers or a memorial gift to Mooney's family can click here to do so.
