On Friday, Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill into law that ensures families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who passed away from COVID-19 in the line of duty receive full state death benefits.
House Bill 779 allocates $5 million from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund in order to support the families of individuals who lost their lives in service.
“While all our law enforcement officers and firefighters made countless sacrifices on our behalf throughout the pandemic, tragically, some made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe,” Reeves said. “That’s why this legislation is so important. Some gave everything for us–including their life–and it’s only right that we give something back to the families they left behind. My administration will always stand beside Mississippi’s law enforcement officers and firefighters, and we will do everything we can to support them and their families in their times of need.”
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is in charge of managing the trust fund and disbursing the funds.
The ceremonial bill signing can be watched below.
