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In her own words: Widow urges vaccinations
Karen Weiskopf says her husband made a “risky decision” not to get the COVID-19 vaccine – a decision he later regretted as the virus wreaked havoc. Here’s what she said to mourners at her funeral.
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – Officer Michael Weiskopf was the third Bay Area law enforcement officer to die from COVID-19. On Tuesday, a service was held to honor his memory in St. Petersburg.
It is a loss that has been heartbreaking for the family and the community, but now Weiskopf’s widow has a message for those mourning her death. His message is to get vaccinated.
At the time of his death, Agent Weiskopf was not vaccinated. His wife says that despite his best efforts, he did not want to be vaccinated. The 52-year-old lost his battle with COVID-19 on Friday, and his wife says she doesn’t want other families to have to go through what she’s going through.
“It was not Mike’s time. He made a risky decision not to vaccinate like so many others,” Weiskopf’s widow Karen told those at the funeral. “I saw a very strong man, in good mental and physical health, suffer from a very long and excruciating illness over the course of 28 days which ultimately resulted in his death. Mike had always felt that there was a coronavirus and has never debated it. He has remained steadfast in his belief that he did not know what was in the vaccine. Mike wished he had been vaccinated when the virus became too much to bear and we cried and prayed together. “
Widow of officer urges everyone to get vaccinated at funeral
Dan Matic Reports
Prior to the start of funeral services, the Florida Department of Health was outside the Coliseum, where the services were held, to host a pop-up vaccination clinic in an effort to fulfill the wishes of Agent Weiskopf’s widow, who wanted to encourage others. to get the hang of it.
Officer Weiskopf spent his life serving the public first as a chiropractor, then as a firefighter and paramedic, before joining the St. Petersburg Police Department in 2003. Chief Holloway says it’s a loss that could have been avoided.
Officer Michael Weiskopf (Photo: St. Petersburg Police Department)
PREVIOUS: COVID-19 wreaks havoc on Bay Area law enforcement
On Friday afternoon, the department held a procession to transport the body of Agent Weiskopf from Bayfront Health to the funeral home. The chief said Weiskopf was working on the traffic unit and taking his job seriously, adding that it was a tragic loss for the department.
The funeral for Officer Weiskopf took place Tuesday afternoon at the Coliseum ballroom in St. Petersburg. An outdoor ceremony included the presentation of the colors, a 21-gun salute, tap dancing, a riderless horse and the presentation of the flag to the family.
A vaccine would have prevented the death of the officer, according to the chief
St. Petersburg police officer Michael Weiskopf died on Friday from complications from COVID 19. He was 52 years old.
The county health department was in the parking lot providing vaccines to anyone interested. At the funeral, the rabbi told those in attendance that 10 people so far had been vaccinated at the pop-up vaccination clinic outside.
RELATED: With COVID-19 misinformation on social media, Sheriff Polk emphasizes importance of listening to doctors
Polk County MP Christopher Broadhead was laid to rest on Monday. He also died last week after spending several weeks in the hospital battling COVID-19.
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