Several of the 29 Florida police officers who died from COVID-19 were from all over Tampa Bay, according to Fox 13.
The fallen: St. John’s police officer Pete, Michael Weiskopf, 52, died of complications from COVID last week. He was not vaccinated, despite his wife’s urgency.
- Manatee Corrections Department worker Douglas Clark, 67, died Thursday. His vaccination status was not disclosed.
- Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Broadhead, 32, died Monday after several weeks in hospital.
What they say: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd did not disclose Broadhead’s vaccination status. but noted to Fox 13 that most hospitalized with COVID are not vaccinated:
“Listen to the doctors, don’t listen to the politicians; get the vaccine … If you didn’t have the motivation to get the vaccine before, I hope Christopher’s untimely death gives you the motivation.”
By numbers: Fox 13 reports also show how COVID cases are spreading emergency services in the region.
- About 50 employees of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office have tested positive for COVID, Judd said, with five currently hospitalized and one with a ventilator.
- About 100 Sarasota County sheriff employees were out of COVID, deputies told the dam last week.
- 19 members of St. Petersburg police had been ill since Saturday, but the department said no one was hospitalized.