An Eatonville officer will lose his job at the end of the year and he claims it is because of his post-traumatic stress disorder.

  • Cpl. Omar Delgado says he is being fired for having PTSD
  • Delgado's last day on the job is Dec. 31, 2017
  • Eatonville Town Council will not comment on firing

On Tuesday, the Town of Eatonville agreed to pay for 50 percent of Cpl. Omar Delgado's accrued sick leave.

Delgado is well known for responding and saving people during the Pulse terror attack in June of 2016. One survivor he is credited with saving is Angel Colon who was shot numerous times.

"It feels like they are turning their back on me, and it feels like they are so eager to push me off," said Delgado.

After Pulse, Delgado tried to return to street patrol, but his PTSD has kept him instead on light duty. In December, the police department decided his last day will be Dec. 31.

At the Town Council meeting, leaders would not comment on why Delgado was being let go. Instead, they only focused on whether or not to pay Delgado his accrued sick time.

"Most of that is confidential so I won't be able say anything about most of that,” said Chief Administrative Officer Roger Dixon. "And the request and the recommendation is the Town Council approve this resolution."

Delgado has worked at the Eatonville Police Department for nine and a half years. He will be six months shy of being able to now collect a pension.

"You are telling me if they pay me six more months, and they pay me on light duty for six more months, the finance department is going to go belly up? I really don’t think so, I have been doing it for eight months, and it's been ok," said Delgado.

In the crowd to support him was Colon. Colon said he was at a loss for why the department would fire Delgado.

"He did his job that night, he rescued lives. He saved my life. And for him to be in this position right now, it just doesn't make any sense," said Colon.

After the meeting, Mayor Eddie Cole spoke to Delgado behind closed doors. When they walked out, Cole stood next to Delgado and urged people to think about law enforcement and all they do, but said he could not comment more on the city's choice to let him go.

"I can say things within Eddie Cole, but then I have to wear a hat that represents this community. And we don't know what is going to happen from here, we really don't. But we pray for the best," said Mayor Cole.

Delgado said he will continue to remain hopeful that he will not be fired at the end of the month, but currently his last day on the job will be Dec. 31.