Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Mark D. Bogen
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO DISCUSS death benefits for officers and deputies of the Broward Sheriff’s Office who are killed in the line of duty. (Commissioner Bogen)
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Why Action is Necessary
Required to allow Board discussion of the referenced topic.
What Action Accomplishes
Allows for open and transparent dialogue regarding the referenced topic.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Florida law requires certain benefits be paid to surviving family members of law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and correctional probation officers who are killed in the line of duty, including:
1) Per Section 112.19, Florida Statutes, death benefits for law enforcement officers, correctional, and correctional probation officers killed in the line-of-duty. These benefits include:
a. $75,000 in the event of line-of-duty accidental death or bodily injury that results in loss of the officer’s life;
b. An additional $75,000 if the death occurs in fresh pursuit, in response to an emergency, or while working a traffic accident or enforcing traffic laws; and
c. $225,000 in the event of line-of-duty unlawful and intentional killing or the officer’s death as a result of an unlawful and intentional act.
2) Section 121.091, Florida Statutes, entitles the surviving spouse (or the child or children, if there is no surviving spouse) of a deceased member of the Florida Retirement System, who dies before retirement, to receive 50% of the member’s monthly salary until the spouse’s death (or the youngest child’s 18th birthday).
3) For deaths prior to July 1, 2019, Section 112.19 waives certain educational expenses for children and spouses to receive vocational/technical, undergraduate, postgraduate, and post-baccalaureate professional degrees.
Commissioner Bogen is proposing that Broward County honor the sacrifice that Broward Sheriff’s Office officers and deputies make by developing a trust fund, in coordination with Broward Sheriff’s Office, to provide the surviving spouse and/or children of an officer who has been killed in the line of duty with the following:
• $250,000 for use toward mortgage or rent payments
• Priority for job placement in a Broward County position for surviving spouse
Source of Additional Information
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Not determined at this time.