For almost three years, Cheryl McDonald has been trying to get line-of-duty death benefits for her late husband, Winston-Salem (North Carolina) Police Sgt. Mike McDonald.

He died Oct. 21, 2021, at the age of 49, after spending 25 years on the force. On his death certificate, COVID-19 is listed as an underlying cause. She believes he caught it from a colleague who also tested positive while the two of them were working at the Carolina Classic Fair.

But attorneys for the city say she can't prove that's how he got it and because he also wasn't vaccinated, his death "was not an accident within the meaning of the Workers' Compensation Act," WXII reports.

McDonald, who lives in Belews Creek, had a hearing in April with a member of the North Carolina Industrial Commission — the state organization responsible for administering the Workers' Compensation Act. She found out late last year that her claim had been denied.

Now, she is appealing that decision and arguments are scheduled virtually before the full Industrial Commission in two weeks, on June 19.

Sgt. McDonald's death has already been classified as line-of-duty at the federal and state level.