Nationwide — Derek Williams, an African American police officer from Mount Vernon, New York, is facing termination while battling kidney failure, just six months before retirement. The decision also ends his health insurance, putting his life-sustaining treatment at risk.
Williams has worked for the Mount Vernon Police Department for 19 years and previously served in its elite emergency service unit. His role often involved long hours and dangerous assignments, especially during times of crisis.
In 2020, Williams contracted COVID-19 after months of working double shifts during the height of the pandemic. His health continued to decline in the years that followed, and doctors later diagnosed him with kidney failure. He now depends on daily dialysis to survive.
“I do nine hours of dialysis seven days a week to maintain my health. Without that, I wouldn’t survive,” Williams told WLBT while standing alongside retired Mount Vernon officers who gathered to support him.
The police department classified Williams’ condition as a non-job-related illness and stopped paying him once he became too sick to work. Although doctors cleared the 45-year-old officer for desk duty, the department denied his request for light duty. He is now just six months short of qualifying for a reduced pension.
“I begged for my job back. I begged to come in whatever hours that I can be capable of doing. And I was told there’s no light duty for me,” Williams said.
Earlier this month, Williams received a termination letter effective December 31. The move will end his career and cut off his health insurance while he waits on a kidney transplant and a decision on his state disability pension application.
“I just feel like they have no empathy. They had no compassion,” Williams said.
Former Mount Vernon police commissioner Shawn Harris spoke in support of Williams, saying, “Derek’s character caused him to come in and work and support this city and the residents of this city during the worst pandemic that we’ve had.” Harris added, “To be blunt, if you’re terminating his employment, you’re terminating his life, in so many words.”