Texas Largest Police Union Says Gov. Abbott Has Abandoned State’s First Responders During COVID-19

The Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas asked Gov. Greg Abbott nicely in spring to declare COVID-19 as a presumptive illness that qualifies as a line of duty death for first responders in Texas. Six months later, 39 Texas peace officers are dead from COVID-19, and CLEAT is no longer asking nicely.  

“They couldn’t shelter in place. They were directed to go to work. They had no other choice. They did their duty, and now we’ve turned our back completely on them,” Executive Director Charley Wilkinson said

Wilkinson says all that was ever asked for and wanted was for them to be treated fairly. He says it is unfair and unjust to force officers, their families and their departments to prove they were on duty when they contracted COVID-19. 

“You don’t ask a coal miner how they got black lung,” he said.

Declaring COVID-19 as a presumptive illness would eliminate questions about whether officers are eligible for insurance and worker’s compensation benefits. It would also ensure that police officers who die from the disease are listed on the Texas Police Officers Memorial. 

In March, Abbott waived certain provisions in state law to allow public safety employees who contract the virus to be reimbursed for some expenses stemming from medical treatment. But Abbott’s waiver did not designate COVID-19 as a presumptive illness for first responders.

Wilkinson says numerous state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have stepped forward to say they will sponsor or support legislation in 2021 to accomplish what CLEAT is seeking, but that doesn’t help right now.

RA Staff

Written by RA News staff.

Recent Posts

Wall Street South? Texas Launches Bold Bid with New Stock Exchange

A bold new financial chapter is unfolding…

5 hours ago

Nearly 900 Texans Rescued After Catastrophic Flooding in Kerr County, Death Toll Rises

At least 32 people are dead and many more remain missing — including children from…

21 hours ago

Texas Bets on Bitcoin: A Strategic Play for Financial Innovation

In a move that has drawn national…

1 day ago

Elon Musk’s $50K House vs. His Nearly $70K Cybertruck

Elon Musk, a figure with billion-dollar ventures…

1 day ago

Delta-8 vs. Delta-9: Why Texas’ Marijuana Dispensaries Say They Can’t Compete

Texas' medical marijuana industry entered 2025’s legislative…

2 days ago

Paxton drops appeal: Texas to pay $6.6 million to whistleblowers

Texas will pay $6.6 million to four former top deputies to Attorney General Ken Paxton…

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.