‘Do it for your community’: Local law enforcement agencies encourage COVID-19 vaccinations

ORLANDO, Fla. — Local law enforcement agencies are encouraging law enforcement officers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“To my fellow law enforcement officers: Get vaccinated. Do it, so your fellow deputies and officers can honor you at your retirement, instead of commemorating you at your funeral,” Orange County Sheriff John Mina said in a video on Twitter.

Mina said in 2020, COVID-19 killed 240 law enforcement officers in the United States. He said that was more than all other line-of-duty deaths combined.

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The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Deputy First Class Craig Seijos, 54, died on Aug. 5 from complications of COVID-19 after nearly three decades of service within the department.

“Craig dedicated much of his life to serving the residents of Orange County,” Sheriff John Mina said in a statement. “We will always be grateful for his service and he will never be forgotten.”

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The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Seijos was a dedicated family man who adored his wife and five adult children. His colleagues said he was an extremely generous person and was always willing to donate to a good cause.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced that Deputy Sheriff Christopher Broadhead died on Monday.

Broadhead, 32, worked with the Sheriff’s Office since Nov. 2011.

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“Deputy Broadhead received many accolades throughout his 10 year career. He was awarded a Medal of Valor in 2013, several division and department commendations, a Sheriff’s Commendation, and Meritorious Service Medal in 2017,” according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

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