Bellevue officer's near-death experience leads to changes in emergency aid policy

BELLEVUE, Wash. — It has been more than a year since Bellevue motorcycle police Officer Kevin Bereta suffered serious injuries during a visit by Vice President Kamala Harris.

In August last year, Bereta was in the vice president's motorcade when he crashed into the side of a ramp and fell onto the highway below.

“I defied death,” Bereta said in an interview with KOMO News on Friday.

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Bereta has also defied all adversities and has now returned to her job with the police.

“I've had multiple surgeries, two spinal surgeries, and recovering from both of those was a big challenge again, so it's incredible to come back,” he said. “Not many people fall off a 60-foot overpass and survive, so this is uncharted territory for everyone. We're just going to keep going and do the best we can, and I'm getting better every week.”

Bereta said he was focused on his recovery mission because he was there for his family and returning to the department. And his recovery was the moment of change. Earlier this year, the city of Bellevue was accused of leaving him without health insurance benefits after his injury.

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As bills grew, so did public outcry. At the time, the city said health insurance would be covered in agreements negotiated with unions representing workers. But the pressure continued, and eventually the city decided to negotiate a change that would cover COBRA costs for up to 12 months if an “extraordinary situation” arose.

“I've made something happen that's never happened before, which is to get people's benefits taken away. That's a step forward,” Bereta said. That's one of the most important takeaways: the belief that his story will now help make things better for other city employees and first responders.

“It's gotten to a point where people are starting to understand the flaws in our contract. Hopefully that will change at the state level. That's my goal.”

Bereta plans to get back on the bike, but he doesn't have a timetable yet. The city has now implemented a new, but temporary, plan for providing health insurance to its employees following Bereta's injury.

In a statement Friday, they told KOMO News, “It is wonderful to see Officer Bereta's incredible recovery and to have him back on duty with us. And the city plans to use the two years that the interim rule is in effect to explore a permanent rule change to ensure that all employees and their families continue to be supported during these unique situations.”