Unvaccinated San Francisco cop who missed COVID vaccine deadline dies from virus

A San Francisco, Calif., police officer who was placed on administrative leave after not meeting the department's vaccination deadline has reportedly died of COVID-19.

According to San Francisco Chronicle, Jack Nyce, a 17-year veteran police officer, tested positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday before being transported to a local hospital by ambulance. On Sunday, November 7, Nyce passed away at the Kaiser Hospital in Manteca, Calif. Nyce was 1 of 41 officers still classified as unvaccinated at the time of the department's November 1 vaccination deadline.

Shortly after his death, the San Francisco Police Department Chief of Police William Scott and Tony Montoya, the SFPD association president, both released statements mourning Nyce's death.

"A widely respected colleague most recently assigned to Park Station, Jack served our City and our department honorably and well for more than 17 years, in roles that included a variety of assignments," Scott said in a statement. "I will share more information about plans for his remembrance as they become available. In the interim, please keep Jack, his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

However, Scott noted that the police department would not comment on Nyce's cause of death.

Montoya offered condolences to the officer's family. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jack's wife, family, and friends," said Tony Montoya, the association's president. "This is a sad time for our department. Jack leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. Rest in peace Officer Nyce."

Nyce's death comes just one week after the department made headlines for its "rare" vaccination rate. Per CBS News: "As of last week, the San Francisco Police Department said that more than 97% of department employees were fully vaccinated by the November 1 deadline, including 97.4% of all sworn officers and 97.8% of non-sworn SFPD employees."