CHARLESTON, W.Va. — House Speaker Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, has requested a new state law that doubles the death benefits for emergency personnel killed in the line of duty be retroactive to Jan. 1.
Armstead said in a letter dated Monday to Gov. Jim Justice this is to ensure the increased benefits are given to the families of the two Pratt volunteer firefighters who were killed Saturday.
Assistant Chief Michael Edwards and Lt. Tom Craigo died while responding to a fatal wreck on the West Virginia Turnpike. Three other firefighters were injured.
“Considering the recent traffic accident in Kanawha County where the two Pratt volunteer firefighters were killed in the line of duty, I am hopeful that changes in the law may be made in the future to allow the families of these heroic firefighters to be provided the higher death benefits contained in Senate Bill 625,” Armstead said.
Justice signed the bill on Tuesday but it’s not scheduled to take effect until June 8. It doubles death benefits from $50,000 to $100,000.
Armstead requested a measure changing the original language be placed on a special session agenda.