Benefits For Fallen Officers Better

A gunbattle that left two sheriff’s deputies dead in southern Idaho back in 2001 became the legislative catalyst for improving the state’s support for families of fallen officers. “That was the incident that caused us to start thinking about survivor benefits,” said former Ada County Sheriff Vaughn Killeen, who now serves as executive director of the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association and helped spearhead the push for greater state support in 2002. “The shooting was fresh in everyone’s mind. We had no problem whatsoever … getting the bill through the Legislature on the first try.” Now, family members of slain police officers in Idaho are eligible for state and federal cash payments, plus monthly pension and other benefits including college tuition waivers and scholarships. Similar packages are available in most states, though dollar amounts vary, and – as in Idaho – often are augmented with support from  local governments, private organizations and individual community members. The U.S. Justice Department typically is the single-largest contributor/ David Wasson , SR. More here .