Kentucky Law to Provide Tougher Penalties for Killing Responders

Kentucky law enforcement and firefighters should get an extra degree of protection going forward, after the Kentucky General Assembly approved tougher penalties for those convicted of killing police or firefighters that are clearly identified.

After the House approved an amended bill 95-0 Monday, the Senate then agreed with changes made by the House in a 38-0 vote and now it has been sent to Gov. Steve Beshear, who is expected to sign it into law.

What the new law does, called the Bryan Durman Act, in honor of a Lexington police officer who was killed in 2010 by a hit-and-run driver, is require 85 percent of the sentence given if a clearly identified responder is killed and the person is convicted of  second-degree manslaughter as a result.

For those convicted of killing an officer not clear identified as such, a minimum of 50 percent of the sentence would have to be served.

"They're willing to die for us, to protect us," said Rep. Robert Benvenuti, R-Lexington. "Now is our day to give a little bit back to these men and women who serve."