ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — The community is rallying together and pleading for prayers for an Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office sergeant in the ICU battling COVID-19.
Sergeant Nate Kyelberg has spent more than two decades patrolling the streets and keeping community members safe. He worked as an officer at the Auraria Campus and the Louisville Police Department before he joined the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office in 2004.
Kyelberg’s wife, Andrea Kyelberg, said her husband takes pride in his uniform and making a difference in the community.
“He does his best to care for them,” Andrea said.
The father of three is known for his big heart and humor.
“He is the man that will give you the shirt off his back, Andrea Kyelberg said. “He is the kindest sweetest person.”
On Feb. 1, Nate was rushed to Sky Ridge Medical Center and diagnosed with COVID-19. His entire family later tested positive for the virus.
His wife said they initially thought he had a cold, but they realized it was serious when he began having trouble breathing. Nate suffers from asthma, which can increase the risk of severe illness from the virus.
Nate has been at the hospital for more than two weeks, and his family was only able to see him once through the window before his health spiraled.
“He is still on the ventilator. He is still heavily sedated,” Andrea said.
On Monday, doctors told the family he was making small improvements, like moving his hand and wiggling his feet, but he remains in the ICU, and his health remains on the line.
Sgt. Jeremiah Gates, with the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, is Nate's best friend. They met more than a decade ago on the job. Gates said he’s praying for a miracle.
“My worst fear is that we won’t come out of this,” Gates said.
It’s nearly impossible to know where Nate contracted COVID-19, but the job comes with an increased risk of exposure.
“We are still out there responding to these 911 calls, responding to non-emergency calls, going out and being a part of this community,” Gates said.
Saturday night, the community came together to raise money to cover any unexpected expenses. They said it’s too early to know what will happen, and they need to be prepared.
For years, Andrea said her husband has put his family and community first, and now, they hope Coloradans can help return the favor in prayers and monetary donations.
Andrea hopes by sharing her story the community can better understand the risk officers take every day to keep Coloradans safe, at times putting their health at risk or their life on the line.
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