Robert LaMay: Resigning State Trooper tells Jay Inslee to 'kiss my a**' over vaccine mandate
YAKIMA COUNTY, WASHINGTON: A 22-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol signed off from his final shift on Friday, October 15. In a video he made of his farewell call to the department, he had some parting words for Governor Jay Inslee (Democrat): “Kiss my a**.” Robert LaMay, the officer, thanked his fellow officers in the video but said he was asked to leave "because I am dirty," or unvaccinated.
As per Jason Rantz, a conservative host on KTTH 770/94.5FM in Seattle, LaMay is a Christian with religious objections to the vaccine. Back in August, LaMay appeared on Rantz’s show and said that even though he is less than three years shy of full retirement, he would stand his ground and refuse the vaccine, even if the termination was in question.
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LaMay said at the time that he did not like vaccinations. He said that aside from the vaccines he was given as a baby, he has not gotten vaccinated as an adult. On Friday, LaMay said on his radio, “This is my final sign-off. After 22 years of serving the citizens of the state of Washington, I’m being asked to leave because I am dirty,” referring to his unvaccinated status.
“Numerous fatalities, injuries, I’ve worked sick, I’ve played sick,” he said. “We’ve buried lots of friends over these years. I’d like to thank you guys. I’d like to thank the citizens of Yakima County as well as my fellow officers within the valley. Without you guys, I wouldn’t have been very successful. And you kept me safe and got me to my family every night. Thank you for that.”
“I wish I could say more, but this is it so state 10-34, this is the last time you’ll hear me in a state patrol car. And Jay Inslee can kiss my a**,” he concluded. After his final radio call, he was honored with a send-off from the communications center. “You’ve been a great role model and mentor for all young troopers serving in the area by sharing your knowledge and experience throughout the years. Thank you for your service,” the dispatch operator said.
As per Rantz, LaMay has been honored with multiple awards, including the Red Cross Real Life Hero award, WSP Commission Award (twice), WSP Commercial Vehicle Division Trooper of year in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission certificate of appreciation for seat belt enforcement.
On Monday, October 18, the state of Washington will require more than 800,000 workers in the state to either be fully vaccinated or have received an exemption and job accommodation in order to keep their jobs.
As per the Seattle Times, more than 90 percent of Washington state government workers have been verified as fully vaccinated as of this week. The state’s Office of Financial Management reported earlier in the week that the rates vary between the largest state agencies: 91 percent among Department of Social and Health Services workers; between 84 and 91 percent among Department of Corrections prison employees depending on the facility; and 89 percent among Washington State Patrol workers.
As for hospital workers, about 88 percent are fully vaccinated, according to a recent Washington State Hospital Association survey. The Times noted that vaccination rates among the state’s largest agencies are high, “dispelling the notion that a mass exodus of state employees unwilling to get their shots could cripple government services.”
If an unvaccinated worker has been granted a religious or medical exemption, their employer is required to try to set up accommodations within their workplace, the report said.
Accommodations might include requiring an unvaccinated worker to get frequent coronavirus tests or moving a worker to a position. The report added that if a state or health care worker hasn’t been fully vaccinated or been approved for accommodation by October 18, they won’t be legally allowed to work within their current place of employment. Failure to comply is a gross misdemeanor. Violations could also result in civil enforcement action, according to the state.