The state House of Representatives today passed five new public safety laws to better protect the public and take care of loved ones left behind when a police officer or firefighter dies in the line of duty. Legislators also passed a resolution honoring slain law-enforcement officers during an often emotional floor session while family members of the fallen officers looked on.
Representatives Mark Ericks (D – Bothell) and Al O’Brien (D – Mountlake Terrace) were among those who stood on the House floor to speak in favor of the proposed measures and in support of the law-enforcement community. Ericks is a former police detective with more than 30 years of service who served as Bothell’s chief of police for 12 years. O’Brien retired from the Seattle police force after 29 years of service.
Six law-enforcement officers were shot and killed in the latter part of 2009, with four Lakewood police officers dying at the hands of Maurice Clemmons in the biggest massacre of police officers in state history.
“From the day we pick this profession, we make the choice to put everyone else before ourselves, and that includes our families,” Ericks said, speaking in support of the resolution honoring those who died.
O’Brien spoke about a Seattle police officer he worked with who died 25 years ago, but whose family still marks the anniversary of his death.
“They remember him, just as families here today will remember their loved ones,” O’Brien said. “And we will never forget these fallen heroes.”
Today’s legislation was aimed specifically at closing loopholes that helped Clemmons stay out jail, enabling him to commit his crime. Also, two bills focused on helping the children and families of fallen officers and firefighters, who often suffer not only the loss of their loved one, but their primary breadwinner.
The five laws passed by the House are:
• HB 1203 — Toughening penalties for the crime of rendering criminal assistance.
• HB 1679 — Catastrophic benefits for police officers and firefighters completely disabled and unable to work due to an injury in the line of duty.
• HB 2625 — Ending the practice of booking bail, where suspects can post bail according to a formula, without seeing a judge at all.
• HB 2422 — Giving victims notice when criminally insane escape from a state institution.
• HB 2519 — Death benefits for the families of fallen police officers and firefighters.
The resolution is:
• HR 4679 — Honoring the law-enforcement officers who have given their lives in service to the people of the state of Washington.
