Guv praises bill to help disabled officers

With uniformed officers standing by, Gov. Butch Otter and Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, praised legislation today that will help permanently disabled law enforcement officers with health insurance costs for their families. At a formal signing ceremony for the bill, SB 1111, Otter and officers thanks Jorgenson for pushing for the bill, and Jorgenson said, “I’m very proud to be here today. This bill has been in the process for five years.” Jorgenson also praised Coeur d’Alene police officer Mike Kralicek, “who was the inspiration for putting this together.” Though Kralicek, permanently disabled after being shot by a fleeing suspect, won’t benefit from the bill, future officers in his situation will.