The Right Thing to Do

We at the East Boston Times have many friends and family members that serve as members of local police forces.

This week our Congressman, U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano filed the “Officer Sean Collier Campus Police Recognition Act of 2013” in memory of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, who was murdered on the evening of April 18, by those responsible for the tragic bombings at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

The legislation would add campus police officers to the Department of Justice’s Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program.

Something that ought to be done.

This federal program provides financial assistance to police officers, firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who are catastrophically injured in the line of duty. If they are killed, the program provides benefits to eligible family members. Rep. Capuano’s bill would add campus police officers to the list of public safety personnel eligible to receive benefits under this existing federal program.

The change would be retroactive to April 15, 2013 – the day of the bombings.

“Officer Collier was a hero who lost his life while doing a job he loved, serving and protecting the MIT community as a member of campus law enforcement. This bill is a small way to honor his memory,” said Congressman Capuano.

In addition to Officer Collier, three others lost their lives as a result of the bombings on Marathon Monday: Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell and Lu Lingzi.

“We continue to hold them and their families in our hearts”, stated Congressman Capuano.

The legislation has been co-sponsored by the entire Massachusetts House Congressional delegation.

In our opinion it’s good move by Capuano.

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