- Washington Gov. Jay Inslee required state employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by October.
- Police trooper Robert LaMay was fired for his refusal to get vaccinated by Inslee’s deadline.
- Preliminary data found that more than 300 police officers died from COVID-19 in 2021.
Washington State police trooper Robert LaMay was fired in October and gave his colleagues a fiery farewell after failing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the deadline set for state employees by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Three months later, he died from the virus.
“This is my final signoff. After 22 years of serving the citizens of the state of Washington, I’m being asked to leave because I am dirty,” LaMay said in October. “This is the last time you’ll hear me in a state patrol car. And Jay Inslee can kiss my ass.”
LaMay’s death is part of a larger trend amongst law enforcement officers. In 2021, more than 300 federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement officers died of COVID-19, according to preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, marking the deadliest year for police in nearly a century.
“I am deeply saddened over the news that our former friend and colleague Trooper Robert LaMay has passed away,” Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste said in a statement. “Rob served honorably for over two decades and we were disappointed to see him leave the agency this past October. His service to this state and agency will be long remembered and appreciated.”
