A New Hampshire legislative proposal inspired by the death of Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs would add a $100,000 state payout to the package of benefits provided to families of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Briggs, 35, a father of two who lived in Concord, died in October after he was shot while on patrol. His accused killer faces the death penalty in a capital murder trial.
Sen. Lou D’Allesandro is the prime sponsor of the bill known as “Michael’s Law.” He hopes the money will help attract police recruits and says the $100,000 figure was picked to bring New Hampshire in line with other states that already provide the death benefit, he said. A national group, Concerns of Police Survivors, says 28 states pay death benefits when an officer is killed on duty. The average amount is $50,000.
Link: http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070212/REPOSITORY/702120354/1043/48HOURS