Christopher Dolan was a well-regarded Massachusetts state trooper for over two decades until the pandemic led his leaders to label him a public health risk. He began his career as an intern in 1995 and later received awards from both local and federal entities for his contributions in solving cold cases. His family background—being the son and nephew of police officers—deeply influenced his decision to join the force, with many colleagues sharing a similar calling from a young age.
In early January 2022, during a virtual hearing, Dolan appeared visibly upset after being accused of being “unsatisfied” with the agency he had dedicated his life to, largely due to his refusal to receive the COVID vaccine. The Massachusetts State Police had recently assessed his situation. He was informed of possible repercussions, including “disobedience” charges for his stance. All of this stemmed from a vaccination mandate imposed by the previous governor, which had become mandatory for state employees in August 2021.
During the hearing, Detective Inspector Daniel Tucker, wearing a mask poorly, asked Dolan if he wanted to resign before a new investigation began. Dolan firmly replied, “Absolutely not.” Throughout this tumultuous time, he was suspended without pay, and his legal challenges persisted into 2023 when he and others managed to win back pay through arbitration. However, Dolan and his wife faced significant hardships, including selling their home, while he endured multiple “internal affairs” investigations focused solely on his vaccine refusal.
Alongside about 30 former colleagues and civilians, Dolan has been engaged in a lengthy legal battle against MSP, primarily seeking reinstatement and damages as a result of the vaccine mandate fallout. Their experiences underline the widespread impact of such mandates on workers, leading to many losing their jobs.
Nine days prior to his scheduled retirement, Dolan maintained his refusal to get vaccinated, stating emphatically that “hell or high water” he wouldn’t comply. He asserted, “They would have had to come to my house, hold me down, and put a bullet in my arm.” Now a retiree, Dolan noted that only a small number of the over 150 employees denied exemptions were fighting back, as others either opted for different paths or chose to disengage altogether. A Gallup poll from August 2021 revealed that 38% of American workers oppose employer-mandated vaccinations.
In March and April, the court favored MSP in related rulings, allowing some civil rights claims from military personnel to move forward. Dolan and his fellow plaintiffs are planning an appeal. MSP declined to comment on the matter due to ongoing litigation.
“We have been excluded.”
Dolan and others communicated that their religious beliefs, including objections to the use of aborted fetal cells in vaccines, were the reasons for their refusal. Dolan described vaccination as “idolatry” from a Christian viewpoint. Samantha Sheila, a former trooper, echoed similar religious objections while also expressing concerns about how the vaccine could affect her pregnancy. Although she had passed the sincerity test for religious views, MSP deemed her reasons more personal philosophy than genuine faith. Sheila’s experience was particularly jarring; after being dismissed from MSP, she felt ignored and forgotten, especially on the anniversary of her father’s death, a stark contrast to the previous years when she received flowers from her department.
After being let go in April 2022, Sheila, who now works for the Middleton Police Department, reflected on how irony marked her situation—she could perform the same job deemed unsafe for MSP employees. By March of 2023, compliance with vaccination mandates had risen significantly among state employees.
Dolan’s family faced struggles beyond his career; in 2021, after his assignment ended, he came home to find his wife in tears—she had lost her job for refusing the vaccine. Dolan stated, “If you say this is the way to go right now…you’re the only one who will do it for me. But you wouldn’t want to live with a man like that.” Ultimately, his wife supported his decision to refuse vaccination.
Dolan expressed confusion over MSP’s public health narrative, especially since, even while suspended, he testified in murder trials. “No masking, no social distancing, nothing,” he remarked with a laugh, “It shows you something.”
