LEXINGTON, Ky. - On the third anniversary of the death of its namesake, the Bryan Durman Act officially became law Monday.
Three years ago Lexington police officer Bryan Durman was killed by a hit-and-run driver while investigation a routine complaint. Now his name is attached to a law, once Senate Bill 15, that sets higher parole eligibility thresholds for crimes that result in the death of line-of-duty officers or firefighters.
Behind the effort was Durman’s widow, Brandy, who was on hand to see Governor Beshear sign the legislation into law Monday.
"It is an amazing feeling to see all our hard work culminate in that moment that he signed this bill into law, and we can sleep a little easier knowing that these police, fire, and corrections officers that protect us every day have a little protection as well," Durman said.
The law makes second-degree manslaughter and reckless homicide of a peace officer or firefighter acting in the line of duty part of the violent offender statues, and stipulates that the offender must serve at least 85 percent of his or her sentence if the officer was clearly visible. Previously, those committing such crimes were eligible for parole after serving only 20 percent of their sentence.
