Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Florida, announced Friday that a longtime staff member at his office died of coronavirus.
“Devastated by the death of my former staff member Gary Tibbetts, who died at COVID-19 Manatee Memorial Hospital. Gary was the consummate professional and a true public servant in every sense of the word. He touched many lives and was loved and respected by those who knew him, “Buchanan wrote in a statement posted on Twitter.
Tibbetts, 66, had been a Tibbetts Special Assistant since 2011 and was a retired Police Sergeant from Manchester, NH
The Bradenton Police Department also released a statement.
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Gary was a great advocate for Bradenton PD and all law enforcement. He was a dedicated and tireless advocate for the community he served with pride, ”said the BPD statement.
According to the Bradenton Herald, Tibbetts was a fixture in the community, which regularly had office hours for voters.
Numerous local officials expressed their condolences. State Representative Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, posted on Facebook: “Incredibly tragic and sad news. Gary was very kind and generous to everyone he met. Manatee County is a better place because of all the organizations it has served wonderfully. May God bless your wife, Valerie, and your entire family. Rest in peace my friend. “
Representative Margaret Good, a Democrat who will face Buchanan in November, also issued a statement of mourning for the loss: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Gary Tibbetts. My heart goes out to his family, friends and colleagues. She was a dedicated public servant who worked every day to make this community a better place. “
Florida has faced record spikes in coronaviruses in recent weeks. On Friday, the Sunshine State added 12,444 new cases and 135 new deaths.
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On Thursday, a 9-year-old girl died from the virus, the youngest in the state and the fourth youngest to die from COVID-19.
