Terminally Ill Police Officer Will Keep His Job

43 Comments

After that, Kelly said he would have received a $10,000-a-year pension.

“I may not be able to hold a gun and make a physical arrest, but I can investigate and do other jobs such as take reports,” Kelly said.

Meza could not be reached for comment.

Kelly has been performing light duties, such as answering phones, taking reports over the phone and handling walk-ins for the past several months.

Although Kelly types by using only his right hand because his left hand has less mobility, he recently purchased a laptop computer that helps him take reports over the phone easier, he said.

Brady told the Tribune on Wednesday that no one could force Kelly into taking an early retirement and that Kelly would have to apply for it, and the issue would go before a board.

“We’re working with Mr. Kelly to keep him on as long as possible,” Brady said. “We’d like him to get the maximum amount of time to benefit him and his family and allow him to build time by working from the office or his home.”

In recent months, thousands of dollars have been collected through fundraisers and benefits for Kelly’s family.

Kelly and his wife have four sons and a fifth child on the way.

Currently, the city has a fit-for-duty policy in which a police officer can be tested at any time to make sure he is fit for duty such as being able to run, shoot a gun and make a physical arrest, duties that a street officer is required to perform, according to Nate Gafvert, grievance chairman for the Mesa Police Association.

However, officers hold various jobs within the department that do not require them to perform physical tasks, Gafvert said.

“We’re hoping through all of this that we can work with the city and see if they can reconsider how they do business in regards to these situations,” Gafvert said.

Other Top News:

« Previous 1 2 Next »

Flag as inappropriate

+37

Jonas

over 3 years ago

38368 Comments

Ditto hornytoad59 on any info. And if Officer Kelly gets any more grief from the City of Mesa, I will do what ever I can to make sure it goes national in a very negative way!
hornytoad59

over 3 years ago

88 Comments

If anyone reading this can find out where donations can be sent I would deeply appreciate it... If you would send the address to hornytoad59@hotmail.com I would be grateful... Thanks ahead of time>
WASP7000

over 3 years ago

998 Comments

How was this even a question of weather he would keep his job? Nothing like the department abandoning their guys. You do a service to your community and when you get sick, the department tells you you're no good and sends you packing. Is that so his department life insurance policy wouldn't have to pay out to his family when they needed it?

I'm glad he got someone to fight for him.
IowaNinersFan

over 3 years ago

8086 Comments

God bless you Officer Kelly and keep up the fight.
Gearhart

over 3 years ago

344 Comments

Wow, how did this happen? Politicians...doing GOOD for someone? Good to hear. Good luck to Officer Kelly and his family. Hope all goes as well as it can for them.
cgingo

over 3 years ago

21304 Comments

God bless you and your family.
3William30

over 3 years ago

104 Comments

Finally, the men who sit behind the desks made the right decision. St. Michael's got your back, Officer Kelly! You're in our prayers.
gumby63857

over 3 years ago

2238 Comments

God bless you and your family. I have know other officers who have been forced to retire because of ALS and it it devistating to them. It's only right that he be allowed to keep his job and work as long as he can. There is always plenty of work to do. Hang tough and fight, you have supporters out there.
ksphatcop

over 3 years ago

1744 Comments

Good luck and God Bless.......
creekcop

over 3 years ago

1056 Comments

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that NO emloyer could just fire you because you came down with an illness. Isn't that a violation of HIPPA or something..?
SkoolCop

over 3 years ago

4100 Comments

How demoralizing it must have been for officer Kelly to be told he wold no longer be able to work due to a disease that he had no control of coming down with. While he might not have been able to accomplish some tasks essential to a patrol function, his mind still works and there are plenty of other tasks that he is more than capable of performing. In today's financial climate and struggling with this type of an illness, can anyone imagine attempting to survive, maintain a household and pay for rising medical costs on $10,00.00 dollars a year? Thank God that the city was able to come to a resolution and do the right thing by officer Kelly and his family. He should not have to worry about them as he deals with the disease that will one day take his life. As long as he is both willing and able, he should be allowed to continue working in what-ever capacity he can. Thank you Mesa, for doing the right thing. Thank you officer Kelly, for not giving up. God speed and prayers for a miracle recovery.
DarkBlue

over 3 years ago

4880 Comments

WOW....Politicians that made a right decision !! You don't see much of that these days.
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

Good for you Officer Kelly! Our prayer go with you and God is able. Miracles do happen and the docs are the first ones to say it. So Just keep on and thanks for who you are and what you do in one of the most admirable and finest jobs on earth. God bless.
cookincop

over 3 years ago

214 Comments

God bless ya, brother
BlueBucket

over 3 years ago

98 Comments

Wouldn't it seem discriminatory to essentially fire someone for a medical condition (especially if it is argued it is pre-existing)??