A Washington trooper who refused to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate and quit his job has been reported as having died of the disease.
Robert LaMay (50) made headlines after he rejected Governor Jay Inslee’s mandate that state workers be fully immunized against the disease by October 18, 2020 as a condition for employment.
According to media outlets including Kiro News and Fox News, LaMay, 50, succumbed to the disease on Friday. Newsweek reached out to Washington State Patrol for comment. He had chosen to retire from the station rather than receive the vaccine.
In 2021, he signed off his last from his squad car and stated that he had served 22 years while ill. He also buried many friends.
He stated that he was being asked to leave “because I am dirty,” and then added “And Jay Inslee can take a kiss on my a .”
His video sign off became viral and was featured on the HBO last week in which John Oliver criticised his position and that of a few officers who threatened to resign due to Covid-19 mandates.
LaMay spoke out to Fox News about his decision to deny the mandate. He stated that he doesn’t believe in vaccines and didn’t want flu shots.
He stated that he was exempt from religious vaccinations, but he decided to quit as he would need to move to a lower-paying job that did not fit his family’s needs.
He said that he had worked for 18 months with no health issues, and now he has to get these mandatory vaccines.
“Making people do it or losing your job was absurd.”
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste stated Friday that he was deeply saddened by LaMay’s passing. He paid tribute to LaMay’s “honorable service for over 20 years” and said “we were disappointed to watch him leave.”
“This agency’s prayers, remembrances and thoughts are with his family and loved one,” said the statement. “His service and dedication to this state will be remembered and appreciated for a long time.”
According to the statement LaMay worked in various roles throughout the state, including as an armorer, certified reconstructionist, and drug recognition specialist. In 2014, he was transferred to Yakima County.
The statement continued, “Let’s now remember our old friend,” and “support his family and loved ones” as well as “give thanks for him service.”
More than 300 federal, state and tribal law enforcement officers were killed by COVID-19 last year, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
