Congressman Dan Goldman Introduces Legislation to Support Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

 

 

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) introduced the ‘Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act,’  which would ensure the families of law enforcement officers who are killed as a result of their work on behalf of their communities are not unjustly denied benefits due to arbitrary retirement status restrictions. The legislation would amend the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to ensure the families of fallen officers receive the benefits they deserve. 

 

Chief Herbert D. Proffitt dedicated his life to serving others, first as a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and then as a law enforcement officer for 55 years before retiring in 2009 as Chief of the Tompkinsville, Kentucky Police Department. On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by an individual he had arrested a decade earlier. Although his murder was a direct retaliation for his service in uniform, his family was denied benefits under the PSOB program simply because he had retired. 

 

“We have an obligation to care for those who pay the ultimate price for serving in the line of duty, even after they have retired,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “I am proud to join Rep. Andy Barr in introducing this legislation that ensures that retired law enforcement officials who are harmed or killed in connection to their service receive the benefits they deserve.” 

 

Congressman Andy Barr said, “The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act corrects an injustice that has unfairly denied the families of officers like Chief Proffitt the support they deserve. These brave men and women dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, and their families should not be penalized because they retired before making the ultimate sacrifice. This legislation ensures their service and sacrifice are honored, regardless of retirement status. I appreciate the opportunity to work with Chief Proffitt’s family in advancing this important bill.” 

 

Patrick Yoes, National Fraternal Order of Police President, said, “Chief Proffitt was targeted and murdered by a man he sent to prison.  It was an act of revenge, pure and simple. Chief Proffitt, who spent 55 years in law enforcement did his job and sent a dangerous criminal to prison. Any officer, regardless of duty, status who is deliberately targeted and murdered by someone because they did their duty should be entitled to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program, which provides a one-time benefit for the surviving family members of an officer who dies in the line of duty. Chief Proffitt was retired at the time he was murdered, but there is no doubt that his killing was because of his line of duty actions while on the job.  We are grateful to Representative Barr for introducing this bill to ensure that officers who make the ultimate sacrifice are not forgotten.” 

 

Congressman Dan Goldman has made safeguarding public safety officers and first responders a key priority of his time in office.  

 

In the Winter of 2024, Goldman publicly condemned the House Republican’s rejection of the bipartisan budget bill, which would have fully funded the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). 

 

In the Summer of 2024, Goldman, alongside other New York lawmakers, introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to address any funding gap or shortfall for World Trade Center Health Program. The ‘9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2024’ intended to secure permanent and mandatory funding for the WTCHP, to prevent any future funding shortfall.  

 

In the Fall of 2023, Goldman joined Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) in introducing the ‘Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act’ (Honor Act). This legislation would recognize occupational cancer deaths as line-of-duty deaths, and ensure fire fighters, police, and EMS personnel receive benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program.