LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A sworn police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department has passed away from complications due to COVID-19, marking the agency's second coronavirus-related death, officials confirmed Friday.

Officer Valentin Martinez, 45, "lost his courageous battle with coronavirus this morning," according to an LAPD statement. Martinez is survived by his domestic partner, who is 20 weeks pregnant with his twins, his mother and siblings.

"He was a hero lost way too early in life. All of our officers have placed themselves, and their families, at increased risk throughout the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We honor their sacrifice today," read a statement from the Los Angeles Police Protective League Board of Directors.

A GoFundMe page and memorial fund have been set up to provide for his children and to help the family with funeral expenses.

The tragic news comes nearly three weeks after the LAPD announced the death of Senior Detention Officer Erica McAdoo.

As of Thursday, 449 employees with the department have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began.