City changes policy to extend benefits for Washington police officer injured while escorting Kamala Harris

The city also announced that the benefits would be there for all of its first responders going forward when extended benefits are needed due to extensive injuries sustained while on duty.

A statement obtained by the Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI following a city meeting Monday night read, “The City of Bellevue and the Bellevue Police Officers Guild are pleased to announce a change in City policy that will ensure Officer Kevin Bereta's existing medical coverage will continue over the coming months, giving him the chance to focus on recuperating and returning to the Police Department.”

“This two-year interim solution will provide reimbursement for insurance premiums and is available to Officer Bereta, but also to any City employee who experiences a workplace injury or illness resulting in a temporary disability that prevents them from working sufficient hours to maintain benefits.”

“The interim solution was selected because it could be implemented quickly, but the City plans to continue exploring a long-term change that would further support health benefits for employees in these unique situations. The interim solution has been agreed to by most of the unions at the City and is under consideration by the others. Together, the City and the Guild were able to find a solution that better meets employee needs in a fiscally sustainable manner and can ultimately be administered equitably for all City of Bellevue employees who serve the community.”

“I’m thrilled that Ofc. Bereta and his family can now focus on healing rather than how they were going to cover medical expenses. I applaud the City Manager and her staff for moving so quickly to resolve this issue,” Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis told Hoffman in a statement. “I hope it also sends the message that for all future injury incidents with first responders in our city, they know going forward if they get injured on the job, we will do what it takes to support them in their time of need.”

Motorcycle officer Kevin Bereta from the Bellevue Police Department was working as part of Harris’ motorcade during the vice president’s visit to Seattle in August to fundraise for the Biden Victory Fund’s 2024 re-election campaign and to discuss climate change to mark the one-year anniversary of President Joe Biden signing the Inflation Reduction Act.

According to Bereta’s attorneys, “Per protocol, he was not traveling the posted speed limit but was exceeding it. As he began traveling across the ramp, his motorcycle struck the side of the ramp, and he was ejected. His arms moved along the top of the old 27” tall railing, and he tried to grab onto it without success. Current code for railings is 42” tall.”

“Because the railing was too short, he slid over the top and plunged 60 feet onto the highway below.”

He landed on the concrete freeway and, miraculously, an oncoming vehicle was able to stop and avoid hitting him. However, he suffered severe injuries to his back, leg, and shoulder from the fall, and months later is still fully disabled and unable to return to work.

Last month, it was revealed that his city health benefits would be expiring at the end of February, despite pleas to extend it from Nieuwenhuis, the police chief, the police officer’s guild, and public outcry.

Bereta’s attorney Mo Hamoudi told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, “He had a couple of surgeries…he is in a wheelchair. He injured his spine. It was a burst fracture of his spine…it's the type of injury that the road to recovery is going to be quite long.”

Bereta’s wife Jenny is an ICU nurse who is now only able to work part-time so she can care for her husband and their three young children.

Hamoudi also said that at the time, the officer and his legal team hadn’t heard from anyone in Harris’ office. “We haven't heard anything from them. I mean, I am sure if somebody from the Vice President's office picked up the phone and called the city of Bellevue and said, ‘Hey, don't cut this guy's benefits’ …you think that would move the needle one direction or another.”