Widow sues Tallahassee for benefits three years after police officer husband's COVID death
A widow has waited almost three and a half years since her husband's death to receive the benefits he earned by protecting Tallahassee.
Now to get them, she's having to sue the city.
Melissa Crouch filed a lawsuit in Leon Circuit Civil court at the end of January seeking to declare her rights and collect the money she was due after her husband died from COVID-19 while serving as a police officer. She is represented by Vincent Leuzzi, a Maitland-based attorney.
Clifford "Cliff" Crouch, 38, died in September 2021 after contracting the virus that rocked the world. The Tallahassee Police Department accepted Clifford's "injury and resulting death as a work-related accident under the Florida's Worker's Compensation Act," according to the complaint.
The city said it cannot comment on pending litigation.
Florida law says a law enforcement officer's beneficiary "must be paid" a $75,000 death benefit, and Melissa is legally able to receive that amount or more, according to the complaint.
Melissa requested the benefits the law says she's entitled to last July and still hasn't received any compensation.
Clifford Crouch's death rattled his family and the community. Messages of love, condolences and memories poured out in the wake of his passing.
"The tragic loss of Officer Crouch is being felt across this community and the state,' said Police Benevolent Association President Richard Murphy in a statement at the time. 'We will miss him terribly. While losing a brother in blue is never easy, it's always gratifying to see how people come together to support each other and the family of Officer Crouch.'
The real estate professional who sold the family their home when they moved to Tallahassee said she bawled when she heard the news.
"He really enjoyed being a father and was just a complete gentlemen," said Patty Wilson, a local Realtor and talk show personality. "You could just tell, he was a special human being."
Crouch left behind four children, the youngest being 1 year old at the time.
Before coming to Florida to work with TPD, the Crouches lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. And he brought the Cajun culture with him through his business, Coastal Cajun Cooking, which he owned and operated in his free time.
"We pray for peace and healing for the Crouch family, our department and the community as we grieve this loss together," TPD Chief Lawrence Revell said in a statement at the time.
Local government watchdog reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Widow sues Tallahassee for TPD officer husband's COVID death benefits
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