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Jared Lindsey’s death should be a warning for everyone: COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate between Republicans or Democrats. Perhaps, Lindsey’s premature death will change the behavior of Tulsans.
Reading Time 1 min 24 sec
By BWSTimes Staff
The battering ram for extreme far-right policing policies, Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police Chair Jared Lindsey died of COVID-19 complications early this morning at an area hospital.
In a press conference, Tulsa Police Department Chief Wandell Franklin expressed his condolences on behalf of TPD. Lindsey, 40, died with a short battle of COVID and was a strong supporter of Trump. He also endorsed anti-masker Tulsa City Councilor Cass Fahler.
Lindsey was a controversial figure in Tulsa’s Black community. His position often aided in the stagnation of community policing efforts in the City of Tulsa and harmed the process of bridging trust between TPD and the Black community.
During his run as FOP President, Lindsey rarely considered the perspective of Black Tulsans. His actions often made Black Tulsa feel like constant outliers 99-years after the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Lindsey was vocal about the so-called war against police, often blaming Black lives matter protesters for violence committed against police officers even if those committing the crimes were not Black or part of the Black Lives Matter movement.