Public Statement from the Colorado Public Health Association – Public Health Nurse Section

The Public Health Nurse Section of the Colorado Public Health Association grieves and condemns the murder of Alex Pretti, RN. As an intensive care nurse at the VA, Alex dedicated his career to caring for military veterans and their families and was killed by the U.S. government while acting in service to his community. We hold his family and loved ones in our hearts.

The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, Provision 8.2, is unequivocal: “Where there are human rights violations, nurses ought to and must stand up for those rights and demand accountability.” Alex Pretti was doing exactly that. His actions reflected the core values of nursing, advocacy, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity. No nurse should be targeted, harmed, or killed for upholding these ethical obligations.

This killing represents a profound failure of government accountability and a direct threat to public trust, community safety, and the nursing profession itself. Nurses across the country have made clear that this brutality is unacceptable and must not be normalized. When a nurse is killed for standing up for human rights, it is not only a tragedy, it is a warning.

We demand transparency, accountability, and meaningful reform to prevent further state violence. We call on Colorado nursing organizations and healthcare agencies to stand firmly with nurses who advocate for justice and uphold the ethical foundations of our profession. Silence is not neutral. This is a moment that demands courage, action, and collective responsibility.