Longtime Columbia police officer dies due to COVID-19 complications
COLUMBIA, S.C. July 15 2020
A South Carolina police officer who served his department for more than three decades has died from COVID-19, the department announced.
Master Police Officer (MPO) Robert J. “Bob” Hall of the Columbia Police Department died Tuesday morning from complications due to COVID-19.
He had been receiving medical treatment at Baptist Hospital since July 5.
Before getting sick, department officials say he was a valuable part of CPD’s Special Events Unit, under the Special Operations Bureau, assisting the public with traffic control and security during special events to include parades, marathons, and festivals, and most recently, protests at CPD Headquarters on May 30 and 31, 2020.
He had a great relationship with all communities, his colleagues told WIS-TV in Columbia.
Chief Holbrook said, “Officer Robert “Bob” Hall exemplified everything that is expected out of a 21st Century police officer – service before self, professionalism, integrity, and compassion. MPO Hall was well-known within the City of Columbia’s business and entertainment districts, having played an integral part in event planning and security. MPO Hall served with distinction and honor for more than three decades and has left a lasting legacy at the Columbia Police Department. He will be greatly missed. I ask for everyone’s continued prayers for Bob’s family and the CPD family.”
Hall, originally from Cayce, joined the CPD in June 1985 and retired in September 2008, only to return to the law enforcement career he loved two months later.
“The lives and dedication of our Columbia Police officers are always a direct indication of their devotion to providing for the safety of our Columbia communities, and now even more so as these incredible public servants serve on the front lines during the COVID-19 health crisis,” said City of Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin. “I want to thank Officer Robert Hall for his years of service committed to the protection and well-being of our City, and express my deepest wishes for consolation to his fellow officers and his family, and know his presence will be missed.”
During his tenure with CPD, Hall was a patrolman having served the public in North, South and West Regions of the City of Columbia, and a member of SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics Team).
Hall held several outstanding instruction certifications for the following: firearms, emergency police vehicles, traffic radar, DataMaster field sobriety testing, among others.
An avid firearms and radio collector, MPO Hall also enjoyed riding motorcycles.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, two adult children, grandchildren, and extended family members.
