CHAPPELL, Neb. Tuesday morning the Deuel County Commissioners did not make a decision on whether to pay for temporary health coverage for a wounded sheriff's deputy.
Deuel County Deputy Mike Hutchinson made a promise to serve and protect, now he wants Deuel County to do the same for him.
Hutchinson was shot four times on December 3, 2015 while serving an arrest warrant in Big Springs.
While recovering from injuries sustained during the shooting, he's been on workman's comp.
However recently, Hutchinson found out his family's insurance provider Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska cancelled their coverage.
Tuesday, Hutchinson, his family and their attorney met with the county commissioners in hopes they would pay for equivalent health coverage similar to the one he had before, whether it's through COBRA or the Healthcare Marketplace, until he can return to work.
The COBRA fee is about $1,500 a month.
Hutchinson says he's quickly finding out any officer or first responder who's hurt on the job could face the same dilemma.
"I put my life on the line. The same the sheriff made a commitment to me that they would provide me. The county also made that commitment to provide me with insurance. There was no justification or anything that said, "oh by the way if you get shot in the line of duty we're going to pull of your benefits. So your commitment has been let down but I left my blood up there in that hill that's the commitment I made. Your commitment on your end is not honored and all I am asking you to do, is honor it. I understand that you got new commissioners and you got commissioners where this has never happened as a whole in this community. I has happened. I'm just asking you do what is right. I'm not asking anything that is above and beyond," said Hutchinson
However, Deuel County Attorney Joel Jay says currently, there is no legal, contractual obligation to provide insurance because tax dollars would have pay for Hutchinson's insurance.
Hutchinson's son, Zach, questioned the county on how it was possible they weren't aware of their insurance policy and that his father's insurance was being cancelled.
Deuel County Commissioners will once again discuss this at the June 21st meeting.
Zach Hutchinson said if they get a "no" in two weeks, the family will continue to come back and ask the public for support to have the county make the correct decision.
