Fred Heady, former Warsaw Police Dept. sergeant who has been on disability since 1987, went before the Board of Public Works and Safety Friday to request the city adopt a policy regarding permanently disabled police and firemen who are injured directly in the line of duty.
Heady, 54, was injured Thanksgiving morning 1987 while crossing U.S. 30 while on duty stopping a drunk driver.
Since the accident, he said he and his wife have been allowed to stay on the city's health insurance at the rate that other active officers are paid.
However, by the time his disability is converted to retirement, he was informed by Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins and Jennifer Whitaker, human resources director, he will be required to pay the COBRA rate.
It would be more than $400 a month for him, or $1,200 monthly for his wife and himself.
Heady said there is a proposal to Congress and the U.S. Senate called the American Police Officer Death and Disability Act.
If approved the act would require for the government to pay 100 percent of paid medical coverage for injured families and officers.
Wiggins said the issue is a personnel matter and will be discussed in an executive session Monday at 4:15 p.m. at city hall by the board.
Wiggins also swore in two Warsaw Police Department patrolmen Friday.
Paul Heaton and Jeffrey Ticknor, who have completed their probationary status were sworn in before the board. Heaton was hired at WPD June 29, 2009, and Ticknor was hired July 29, 2009.
Heaton was previously employed at Winona Lake Police Department, and Ticknor was employed at the Capital Police Department, Indianapolis.
The board also approved the city paying $24,152.50 to G & G Hauling to replace a sewer line on Indiana Street between Smith and Prairie streets.
The board also approved a street closure that will allow Downtown Eatery & Spirits to have a beer tent.
The board approved a request for Center Street from Lake Street to Washington Street to be closed Oct. 1 at 8 a.m. to Oct. 3 at 10 a.m.
A majority of the street will be used, but will leave the north side of Center Street open for emergency personnel.
The beer tent will operate Oct. 1 from 3 to 10 p.m. and Oct. 2 from noon to 10 p.m.
A food tent will be available as well.The board also:
- Approved a request for the Warsaw Parks Department to continue an agreement between the department and Kosciusko County Head Start for the parks department to offer programs for Head Start.
- Approved Warsaw Fire Department accepting a $2,000 grant for Play It Safe Family Safety Day that is Sept. 11 in Central Park and at Center Lake Pavilion.
- Approved WFD accepting a $3,000 grant for Play It Safe Family Safety Day.
