Lawmakers aim to improve benefits for fallen officers' families


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SALT LAKE CITY — A KSL investigation this month brought to light a big problem with how Utah takes care of the widows and families of fallen police officers.

On top of no more health coverage, "pension plan payouts" are small and the paperwork process is confusing. It's a problem state leaders say they didn't even know existed, and they want to make it right.

Wednesday, Rep. Paul Ray and Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, met with Nanette Wride and Shante Johnson, two women who lost their husbands in the line of duty in just the last few months.

Both lawmakers found out fast that getting benefits was a whole new nightmare for the women, and they don't want any other Utah families to feel the same. “I don’t want to have to see another family go through not only the loss and the grief and all that, but to not be taken care of, either. That’s uncalled for. That’s not right,” Wride said.

“We’re going to move forward in different elements as we protect widows and widowers of fallen officers,” Valentine said.

Lawmakers plan to cover widow's health insurance costs and create a more substantial lump-sum payment for families. Currently, the state pays them $1,500. Lawmakers also want to clearly define how fallen officer's pensions are paid out, and they want to provide families with an advocate to walk them through the process. “I don’t care how long it takes, we’ll get it done,” Valentine said.

Even though she's still having to struggle through the process herself, Johnson said having something like this to work on is helping her move on after losing the love of her life.

“This is not anything anyone wants to deal with or experience. I would give anything if we can help simply one more person’s life. It gives us purpose and it gives us a reason to press forward,” she said.

Valentine and Ray both are working on versions of a bill to go before the House and Senate during the next legislative session.

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