These agencies are now vaccinating cops against COVID-19

By Suzie Ziegler 

With the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines underway, many hope the end of the pandemic is in sight. 

Healthcare workers are predominantly first in line, but police and other first responders are right on their heels. Here’s a roundup of agencies already offering the vaccine to all or some of their staff.

Austin Police Department (Texas)

Dozens of Austin police officers and firefighters go their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 28.

Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety (Mich.)

About 25% of the department received the vaccine Dec. 23.

Central Arizona College Police (Coolidge, Ariz.)

Clarksville Police Department (Tenn.)

Police and fire chiefs in Clarskville, Tennessee received the vaccine Dec. 30.

Colorado Springs Police Department (Colo.)

The city's police chief, fire chief and the El Paso County undersheriff received the vaccine Dec. 30.

Dallas Police Department

Dallas Police’s Chief Medical Officer, Lt. Alex Eastman, took the vaccine Dec. 23. 

Denison Police Department (Texas)

”Ultimately as public servants, we don’t have the luxury of not being around folks. So it makes me feel a little bit safer in reference to not exposing someone else to COVID,” said Chief Gudgel.

Honolulu Police Department

Honolulu’s Chief of Police took the vaccine Dec. 23. 

Harris County Sheriff’s Office (Texas)

Medical personnel and front-line workers at the Harris County jail began receiving their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine this week. 

Knoxville Police Department (Tenn.)

Police Chief Eve Thomas took the vaccine Jan. 4.

"Thank you to the Knox County Health Department for their tireless work throughout the pandemic and effort to distribute the vaccine to local first responders," the agency wrote.

Madison Police Department (Ala.)

Memphis Police Department (Tenn.)

Memphis police officers, command staff and other local first responders were given the COVID-19 vaccine Monday.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (Tenn.)

Nashville’s Chief of Police took the vaccine Monday. “Didn’t feel it at all,” Chief Drake said. 

Mt. Juliet Police Department (Tenn.)

Police in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee could start getting the vaccine Dec. 23, the agency said. 

New Britain Police Department (Conn.)

Police officers in New Britain, Connecticut, began getting the vaccine Jan. 3.

"This is a great way to start off 2021. Thank you to the Hospital of Central Connecticut for providing the vaccine," the agency wrote.

Pueblo Police Department (Colo.)

Prattville Police Department (Ala.)

University of Colorado Police Department (Aurora, Colo.)

Sgt. Kevin Lyster took the vaccine last week, nine months after his son died of COVID-19 in April. "Today is for Cody. I do this for my son,” Lyster told 9News. 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Police Department (Champaign County, Ill.) 

Officers and the agency’s police chief took the vaccine Dec. 23. 

Wenatchee Police Department (Wash.)

Vaccines aren’t available to all law enforcement agencies yet as healthcare workers are predominantly first in line. In the meantime, some agencies are helping deliver vaccines to others who need them.  

Western Kentucky University Police Department (Bowling Green, Ky.)

West Fargo Police Department (N.D.)

West Valley City Police Department (Utah)

Additional resources 

• 38% of cops say ‘Yes’ to vaccination 

• I’ve been offered the COVID-19 vaccine. What do I do now? 

• Police leaders discuss mandating COVID vaccinations