Metro Lex News

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) introduced the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act which amends the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. This program provides cash benefits to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who are killed or permanently and totally disabled as the result of personal injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Chief of Police Herbert D. Proffitt of the Tompkinsville, Kentucky Police Department served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and in law enforcement for 55 years before retiring in 2009. On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was shot and killed in his driveway by a man who he had arrested a decade prior. Even though the murder occurred in direct retaliation to Chief Proffitt’s work serving in the line of duty, his family did not qualify for the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program because he had retired just a few years prior.

“I am proud to introduce the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to correct an injustice that has long overlooked the sacrifices of retired law enforcement officers like Chief Proffitt,” said Congressman Barr. “This legislation ensures that officers, who've sacrificed so much for our safety, and their families, are honored and supported, regardless of their retirement status. It's about fairness, honoring their service, and standing by those who've stood on the front lines for us. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Chief Proffitt’s family in introducing this bill.”

Sheriff Berl Perdue, Jr President of Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police, expressed gratitude for the bill, stating, “I would like to thank Congressman Barr for introducing the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act. This is a bill that has been needed for many years. Chief Proffitt as you know was murdered by a person who had sent to prison many years before as an act of 'Revenge'. Chief Proffitt's family was denied in line of duty death benefits due basically because he was a retired, not active Law Enforcement Office at the time of his murder. However, this crime was committed and resulted because of his line of duties actions. While this type of crime is not committed very often it is still directly connected to the officers’ actions prior to the offense. The Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police and our nearly 11,000 members ask for this Act to be passed by Congress.”

Richard Badaracco, President of Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Association, also expressed support for the legislation, stating, “The Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Association, representing over 400 officers involved in drug enforcement in Kentucky, wants to thank and offer our support to Congressman Barr for introducing the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2024. We strongly support this legislation, which would include and ensure that retired law enforcement officers and police officers who are killed and or injured due to their work while active and in the line of duty, are eligible for the benefits they and their families deserve. We feel this legislation is a fitting and deserved benefit that recognizes the selfless sacrifice of the men and women of law enforcement. Again, we thank Congressman Barr for his ongoing support of law enforcement and for working to correct an injustice in federal law.”