Unvaccinated California police officer dies of COVID-19: report

 San Francisco police officer William Ma stands guard on a street corner in Chinatown on March 18, 2021 in San Francisco, California.
San Francisco police officer William Ma stands guard on a street corner in Chinatown on March 18, 2021 in San Francisco, California. Photo credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A San Francisco officer has died due to complications related to COVID-19, according to a report.

The officer, Jack Nyce, tested positive for the coronavirus last Tuesday and passed away at a hospital in San Joaquin County this past weekend, his wife confirmed to The San Francisco Chronicle.

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She declined to share her husband's vaccination status.

Three people familiar with the matter told the paper the officer—who was also an Army veteran—"had not met the city's Nov. 1 deadline for inoculation."

In a statement to KCBS Radio on Monday, San Francisco Police Officers Association Vice President Tracy McCray confirmed the officer's death, but declined to elaborate: "We sent an email to our members regarding Jack's untimely passing over the weekend. I am not at liberty to discuss anything regarding the circumstances out of respect for the family at this time."

Police Chief Bill Scott called the 47-year-old "a widely-respected colleague" who "served our City and our department honorably and well for more than 17 years, in roles that included a variety of assignments." In an email, Scott asked that everyone "please keep Jack, his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

His wife, Melissa Nyce, told the paper he "loved being a cop."

She is in quarantine but is asymptomatic.

Roughly 60 San Francisco police officers remained unvaccinated just days before the city's deadline, according to numbers provided by San Francisco Mayor London Breed's Office. That number, which has reportedly dwindled in recent days, accounts for less than 3% of the department's employees.

KCBS Radio has reached out to the mayor's office for comment but has not yet heard back.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images