19-Year Veteran Officer Battling Kidney Failure Nearly Terminated Just Months Away From Pension

MOUNT VERNON, NY - An officer who has worked for the Mount Vernon Police Department (MVPD) for 19 years, who is six months away from retirement, and who is battling kidney failure, is being terminated at the end of the month.

Derek Williams, 45, is on dialysis, and according to his doctors, he can work light-duty posts, but MVPD says that he cannot work and is therefore being terminated effective December 31, ABC7 reported. "I do nine hours of dialysis, seven days a week, to maintain my health. Without that, I wouldn't survive," Williams said.

During the news conference, the veteran New York officer described his declining health while being surrounded by retired MVPD officers who are supporting their brother in blue. Williams, a former member of the Elite Emergency Service Unit, contracted COVID-19 in 2020 after months of working double shifts.

"Derek's character caused him to come to work to support this city and the residents of this city during the worst pandemic that we've had," said Shawn Harris, the former Mount Vernon police commissioner. The department has classified Williams' kidney failure as a non-job-related illness and stopped paying him when he became too sick to work.

Doctors have since cleared him for desk duty, and he is just six months away from qualifying for a reduced pension. His request for that has been denied. 

"I begged for my job back. I begged to come in whatever hours I'm capable of doing, and I was told there's no light duty for me," Williams said. He initially received a termination letter effective for December 31, which would not only end his career early but would also cut off his health insurance.

"I just feel like they have no empathy, they have no compassion," Williams said. MVPD said that it cannot comment on personnel matters. "To be blunt, if you're terminating his employment, you're terminating his life, in so many words," Harris said.

Williams has a pending application for a state disability pension and is on a kidney transplant waiting list. Williams does have SSI disability. Under the 1972 H.R.1 Medicare amendment, all End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients for dialysis and transplant patients are eligible for Medicare. President Richard Nixon signed H.R.1 into law in 1972, granting Medicare eligibility to these patients, regardless of age.

Williams' co-workers are raising funds via a GoFundMe to support Derek with his ongoing medical expenses, health insurance, and living costs. Following public outcry in the wake of his announced termination, Williams has been granted an extension and is not being terminated effective December 31, according to an updated report from ABC7.

After reviewing his circumstances, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawn Patterson-Howard announced that she has approved a six-month extension of Williams' health benefits and separation date. 

"When it comes to serious illness, it requires a softer touch of government that goes beyond bureaucracy," the mayor said. "Having a mother who is currently dealing with dialysis, I understand the tough period he is going through. In a brief conversation I had with Officer Williams today, he indicated a lack of PBA [Police Benevolent Association] representation during this process. As such, I am granting a six-month extension, directing my staff to support him and urge his union to continue donating sick days to cover his time."

The Mayor's Office has reached out to the City Council and Comptroller to ensure legislation is presented to formalize the process.

Additionally, Mayor Patterson-Howard said the city will continue to contribute a portion of Officer Williams' health benefits for an additional six months and ensure he can access the benefits earned through his years of service to the city.