Pileggi Bill Expands Tuition Payments to Families of Sheriffs and Deputies
Killed in Line of Duty

 

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania General Assembly has unanimously passed legislation by Senator Dominic Pileggi (R-9) to expand the Police Officer, Firefighter, Correction Employee, and National Guard Member Child Beneficiary Education Act of 1998 and make families of Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs eligible for tuition payments at state universities.

Pileggi said he introduced Senate Bill 931 in Fall 2003 after four Deputy Sheriffs in his district came under fire and were wounded while serving an eviction notice.  In March 2004, he noted, two sheriff's deputies in Bradford County lost their lives in the line of duty.

“Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs face the same dangers as other law enforcement officers and deserve the same consideration,” Pileggi said.  “It’s only right that we provide the same benefits to them that we do for other law enforcement officers who put their lives at risk.”

The legislation would be retroactive to September 11, 2001, the senator said.  It now goes to the Governor for his signature.

 

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