After a deadly year for law enforcement in Iowa and each of the five deaths having ties to Dallas County, the Sheriff requested a change in the benefits officers’ families receive if they’re killed in the line of duty.

The Dallas County Board of Supervisors approved a change in the fallen officer’s policy at their meeting Tuesday.  Now, if a deputy is killed in the line of duty the County will pay out half of the sick time accrued, same as if the officer retired from the County.  Additionally, the County will pay for the first 12 months of COBRA insurance for the officer’s family.

Human Resources Director Erin Freeman says they’ve looked at what other areas are doing and offer to the families of fallen officers over the past several months.

Board Chairman Mark Hanson and Supervisor Kim Chapman both questioned why this should be offered to officers and not other County employees.  A workshop will be scheduled in the near future to discuss potentially adding this benefit to the families of any county employee who dies while on the job.