Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard has approved a six-month extension allowing police officer Derek Williams, a 19-year veteran battling kidney failure, to return to payroll status while continuing medical treatment and completing the retirement process.

The decision follows widespread public concern over Williams’ impending termination while undergoing dialysis. Under the Mayor’s directive, his separation date has been extended, and his health benefits will continue. City Hall will work with other municipal offices to formalize the arrangement.

In a statement released Thursday, Mayor Patterson-Howard said her decision was rooted in compassion and an understanding of the realities surrounding serious illness.

“When it comes to serious illness, it requires a softer touch of government that goes beyond bureaucracy,” the Mayor said. “Having a mother who is currently dealing with dialysis, I understand the difficult period he is going through.”

The Mayor also acknowledged that during a recent conversation, Williams indicated he lacked adequate representation from the Police Benevolent Association during earlier stages of the process. As a result, she directed her staff to support him and urged the union to continue donating sick days to cover his time.

According to the City, Williams has been out of work since April 2023 without formal documentation, and state law would have permitted termination. However, the Mayor emphasized that the extension was granted in recognition of his serious health challenges and nearly two decades of service to the City of Mount Vernon.

City officials confirmed that the Mayor’s Office has reached out to the City Council and Comptroller to introduce legislation to formalize the extension. The City will also continue contributing to a portion of Williams’ health benefits for the duration of the six months, ensuring he can access the benefits earned through years of public service.

Systemic failures, such as denial of COVID protections and delayed union support, highlight the need for systemic reform to protect public servants.

The Mayor’s intervention confirms that there is discretion within City Hall to act in extraordinary circumstances. But it also raises an important question: should a critically ill public servant ever need public pressure or last-minute executive action to receive basic protections?

To ensure this situation is never repeated, the City must now move beyond case-by-case solutions and implement clear safeguards. Mount Vernon should establish an automatic medical bridge policy so that employees diagnosed with catastrophic illnesses, such as kidney failure requiring dialysis, are protected from termination and maintain health coverage. At the same time, leave, disability, or retirement options are reviewed. 

The City should also mandate automatic FMLA notification and designation whenever ongoing medical treatment is documented, ensuring federal protections are applied proactively rather than after the fact. 

Finally, there must be formal executive and City Council oversight whenever a critically ill public safety employee faces termination, so that no such decision proceeds quietly or without accountability.

Had these protections been in place, Officer Derek Williams’ case would not have required emergency intervention, media attention, or public advocacy. It would have been handled correctly from the outset.

The Mayor’s decision allows Williams to move forward with dignity. Now City Hall has an opportunity—and a responsibility—to ensure that dignity is not extended by exception, but guaranteed by policy. Honoring public service should not depend on controversy. It should be built into the system itself.

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