Line of Duty Death Benefits & Assistance
Roger D . Parker , Executive Director Georgia Concerns of Police Survivors
All officers know the duty related hazards that may happen to them on any given day . They say their goodbyes to their family and head out to perform the duties of the profession they have chosen . Unfortunately , on average there are between 140-165 officers each year that do not return home at the end of their watch .
In addition to worker ’ s compensation , social security and other fraternal or charitable benefits , death benefits are available through the Bureau of Justice administered by the Public Safety Officer Benefit ( PSOB ) program and the Georgia State Indemnification Program . In addition to death benefits , educational assistance is also available to the officer ’ s children and spouse . The telephone number for the PSOB is ( 888 ) 744-6513 and for the Georgia Indemnification Program it is ( 404 ) 656-9484 . Heart attacks may possibly be eligible and COVID-19 is eligible through the PSOB . Each entity has their individual criteria that must be met to be considered as a line of duty death and for the payment of benefits .
In addition to benefits , the agency should also submit the officer ’ s name to the Georgia Public Safety Memorial ( GPSTC ) in Forsyth , GA and to the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund ( NLEOMF ). Provided the death meets their criteria , they will ensure the officer ’ s name is engraved on their memorial walls in Forsyth , GA and Washington , DC . For GPSTC their contact phone number is ( 478 ) 996-4405 and for the NLEOMF it is ( 202 ) 737-7981 .
Since agencies are usually more adept administratively , it is encouraged that the agency makes the benefit filings and name submissions as opposed to the deceased officer ’ s family member . However , there will be certain documents the family member will need to provide the agency to combine with their submission documents .
It is requested that the agency immediately notify Roger Parker at ( 770 ) 354-8771 as soon as they feel they have a line of duty death . Assistance will be provided for the above administrative duties and his organization will begin working with the family survivors by providing peer support .
WINTER . 2021 47