A Bella Vista police officer died on Saturday after being hospitalized with COVID-19 complications since mid-September. The Police Department announced on Facebook on Saturday evening that Officer Christopher Cummins had died.
“It is with heavy hearts we mourn the passing of one of our own today, and offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace, Officer Cummins,” the Facebook post stated.
The 38-year-old started his law enforcement career in 2009. He’d worked for four other police departments, including Centerton, before joining the Bella Vista Police Department, according to his obituary.
A procession of police officers escorted Cummins from Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville to a funeral home in Bella Vista late Saturday afternoon.
The Bella Vista community had rallied around Cummins’ cause, raising money for him while he remained in Northwest Medical Center’s ICU on life support. A GoFundMe account established earlier this fall had raised $6,640 as of Monday afternoon.
Neighbors also gathered for a prayer vigil for Cummins, his family and his doctors on Northwest Medical Center’s lawn in Bentonville on Sept. 20. That same night, people also were invited to show their support and pray for Cummins in the Allen’s Food Market parking lot.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Officer Cummins’ family in this time of grief,” Mayor Peter Christie said. “I also wish to truly thank our community for their support of Officer Cummins’ family and loved ones, as well as for every officer of our Police Department. Each member of our Police Department is touched by this loss, and we appreciate our residents’ continued backing of this department as they work through a difficult time.”
Cummins is survived by his parents, his fiance and two children, according to his obituary.