A community has rallied together to support the family of a deputy fighting for his life against COVID-19
Since 2004, Sgt. Nate Kyelberg has played an instrumental role within the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to fighting to protect the county’s residents every day throughout his 17 year career, Kyelberg has become a mentor and a friend who lights up every room.
But now that light is dimming as Kyelberg is fighting for his life after being put on advanced life support due to complications from COVID-19 and pneumonia at Skyridge Medical Facility in Lone Tree.
“To see somebody whose so happy all the time, and so nice, fighting for their life is heart-breaking,” said Sgt. Jeremiah Gates.
In an attempt to rally support for Kyelberg and assist his family with medical costs, Welcome Home Brewery in Parker is hosting a ‘Night Out For Nate’ event Saturday that will send 50% of the proceeds directly to the Kyelberg family.
“For people to come and show support would mean everything, it would mean the world and I know he would love it,” said Andrea Kyelberg, Nate’s wife of 19 years.
Kyelberg began feeling ill around Jan. 28, but initially thought it was a cold, but due to the agency’s COVID-19 policies was mandated to stay home.
However, on Feb. 1, he told his wife that he needed to go to the emergency room because he couldn’t breath.
“He said when he was trying to take a breath in, it felt like all the air was being sucked out of his lungs,” said Andrea Kyelberg.
“This was the last time I was able to talk to him and hold him in person. It’s the longest we’ve been away from each other in 27 years.”
Upon his arrival to the facility, he was given a rapid test and was officially diagnosed with COVID-19.
Since his diagnosis, Andrea and their three children have not been able to visit Kyelberg due to COVID-19 restrictions. But on Tuesday — the day before he was put on a ventilator — she saw him through a hospital window and waved, blew kisses, and smiled.
Throughout his battle, members of the community, the sheriff’s office, the Fraternal Order of Police and agencies across Colorado have come together to support one another and the Kyelberg family.
“It’s been really hard, but I have to say, how absolutely amazed I am that the sheriff’s office as a whole and the community has come together,” said Gates.
But as the home-cooked meals, prayers, and words of optimism continue to get sent to the Kyelberg family, everyone is hoping to hear Kyelberg tell another joke or see his smile in the near future.
“We’re all hoping and praying for him to make a full recovery because he’s exactly the type of guy we want out there serving the citizens,” said Arapahoe Sheriff Tyler Brown. “The agency wouldn’t be the same without him.”
Anyone interested in donating to a fund created to help the Kyelberg family can do so here.






