Barr bill extends death benefits for retired officers killed due to actions because of service

Expand whom is eligible for benefits under the program

                                                                                                         (PHOTO PROVIDED)

(Story Courtesy of Kentucky Today)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KT) – Kentucky’s Sixth District Congressman Andy Barr, R-Lexington, has introduced legislation that would expand who is eligible to receive assistance under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program.

The PSOB program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who are killed or permanently and totally disabled, as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty.

While this program has long provided death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, there are still former officers that have died because of their service in the line of duty who have been denied this benefit. Barr says his Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act would rectify that.

Tompkinsville Chief of Police Herbert D. Proffitt served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and in law enforcement for 55 years before retiring in 2009.

On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was shot and killed in his driveway by a man who he had arrested a decade prior. Even though the murder occurred in direct retaliation to Proffitt’s work serving in the line of duty, his family did not qualify for the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program because he had retired just a few years prior.

“I am proud to introduce the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to correct an injustice that has long overlooked the sacrifices of retired law enforcement officers like Chief Proffitt,” Barr said. “This legislation ensures that officers, who've sacrificed so much for our safety, and their families, are honored and supported, regardless of their retirement status. It's about fairness, honoring their service, and standing by those who've stood on the front lines for us. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Chief Proffitt’s family in introducing this bill.”

The bill, H.R 7794, was assigned to the House Committee on the Judiciary, but there is no word yet on when it will be heard before the panel.