Washington State Patrol loses 127 to mandate

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Patrol (WSP) lost 127 employees because of Gov. Jay Inslee's COVID vaccine ultimatum.

The state employee deadline to be vaccinated or be accepted for an exemption was Monday. Any state employee not vaccinated or exempted was fired. Whitman County Sheriff's Office and police departments were not facing the mandate and left to determine their agencies policies.

The state lost 74 troopers (67 troopers, 6 sergeants, and 1 captain) and 53 civil servants.

"We will miss every one of them," state patrol Chief John R Batiste said. "I extend a hardy thanks to those who are...