On August 15 of last year, Officer Kevin Bereta was assigned to Vice President Kamala Harris' motorcade as part of her security detail during a visit to Seattle.
BELLEVUE, Wash. — A Bellevue police officer who is still recovering from a fall from an overpass while on duty says he has been removed from the city's health insurance.
Officer Kevin Bereta was nearly killed in an on-duty accident last August.
“Deep down, I wish I was still riding my bike and working,” Bereta said.
On August 15 of last year, Bereta was assigned to Vice President Kamala Harris' motorcade as part of her security detail during a visit to Seattle. Bereta lost control of his bike and fell approximately 60 feet off an overpass, sustaining injuries that would change his life.
“I can't play with my kids like I used to. That's all I can do, lie on the floor and play cards with them. I have to watch them play and all I hear is, 'Daddy, come with me. “Play with me.’ That alone really kills me,” he said.
Bereta learned this week that the City of Bellevue's insurance had been terminated. He has been recovering for more than six months and is not medically cleared to return to light duty.
“We live under constant stress. The new stress of not being able to get health insurance for Kevin and our three sons when we have to wake up is just crazy to me.” ,” said Jenny Bereta, Kevin's wife.
In a statement to KING 5, the City of Bellevue said it is operating within terms “negotiated with the union that are intended to cover typical situations” and that “the City has an obligation to consistently manage its policies.” There is,” he added. The statement added that the city is working with injured employees to consider options to extend benefits, such as offering light-duty jobs as a way to maintain health insurance.
“I understand that if that's the policy, then the policy needs to change. It's unfair and this is not something people in crisis should be dealing with. This is something people should be fighting for. That's not true,” Jenny Bereta said.
The Beretas and their three children currently pay thousands of dollars in premiums out of pocket each month. It's the latest challenge for a family vowing to keep fighting.
The Berettas have an attorney representing them, but have not filed a lawsuit at this time. They hope to resolve the situation in court. In the meantime, they said they are relying on the kindness of the community, which has raised nearly $20,000 through GoFundMe.
