Connecticut has established a Fallen Officer Fund, which will provide $100,000 to the surviving family members or beneficiaries of any Connecticut local or state police officer killed in the line of duty or who sustained injuries that were the direct and proximate cause of the officer’s death.
Additionally, this legislation allows the surviving family members of police officers killed in the line of duty who were covered by the late officer’s health insurance at the time of their death to remain on that coverage for up to five years.
The Fallen Officer Fund was initially funded by the fiscal years 2024 and 2025 biennial state budget approved in June 2023. This legislation codifies the fund into state statutes so that it can continue providing the benefits moving forward.
“Our local and state police officers put their lives on the line every day while protecting our communities, and they should know that this fund is there to provide their families with some support should the unthinkable happen,” said Governor Ned Lamont upon signing the bill into law.
The $100,000 payment is not taxable for state income tax purposes and cannot be reduced or offset due to other benefits such as workers’ compensation that may be awarded.
The Fallen Officer Fund will be administered by the office of State Comptroller Sean Scanlon.
“Today we make good on our promise to the families who have suffered incomprehensible losses, of those who have fallen,” House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora (R-North Branford) said of the measure that garnered unanimous bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
Last September, Detective Bobby Garten of the Hartford Police Department was killed when his patrol car was struck by a driver fleeing after a traffic stop at night.
According to the national Officers Down Memorial Page, there have been no Connecticut police officers killed in the line of duty thus far this year, while three officers were killed in 2022.
Topics Law Enforcement Connecticut
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