Longtime staffer of Florida GOP congressman dies of coronavirus
Gary Tibbetts was a fixture in the community
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., announced Friday that a longtime staffer in his office died of coronavirus.
“Devastated by the death of my longtime staffer Gary Tibbetts, who passed away at Manatee Memorial Hospital from COVID-19. Gary was the consummate professional and a true public servant in every sense of the word. He touched so many lives and was loved and respected by those who knew him,” Buchanan wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.
Tibbetts, 66, had been a special assistant to Buchanan since 2011 and was a retired police sergeant from Manchester, N.H.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Bradenton Police Department also released a statement.
CORONAVIRUS KILLS FLORIDA GIRL, 9, YOUNGEST TO DIE OF COVID-19 IN STATE
“Gary was a great supporter of Bradenton PD, and all of law enforcement. He was a dedicated and tireless advocate for the community he proudly served,” the BPD statement read.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}According to the Bradenton Herald, Tibbetts was a fixture in the community, regularly holding office hours for constituents.
Numerous local officials expressed their condolences. State Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, posted on Facebook: “Incredibly tragic and sad news. Gary was so kind and generous to everyone he met. Manatee County is a better place because of all the organizations he wonderfully served. May God bless his wife, Valerie and their entire family. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Rep. Margaret Good, a Democrat who will face off against Buchanan in November, also released a statement mourning the loss: “I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Gary Tibbetts. My heart goes out to his family, friends and colleagues. He was a dedicated public servant who worked every day to make this community a better place.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Florida has been facing record spikes in coronavirus in recent weeks. On Friday, the Sunshine State adding 12,444 new cases and 135 new deaths.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
On Thursday a 9-year-old girl died from the virus, the youngest in the state and the fourth minor to die from COVID-19.