{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C7C392C2-6ED2-475C-A5E7-BE11566E2085", "Barr Leads Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to Passage, Heads to President Trump\u2019s Desk", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "Andy Barr", "B001282", "barr.house.gov", "barr", "https://barr.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014 Today, the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act passed the U.S. Senate and is headed to President Donald Trump\u2019s desk. On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by a criminal he had arrested ten years earlier. Although his murder was clearly an act of retaliation for his service, his family was denied Public Safety Officers\u2019 Benefits (PSOB) program benefits solely because he had retired.\n\nThe Chief Proffitt Act amends the PSOB program to make retired or separated officers and their families eligible for benefits if they suffer permanent disability or death in an event related to their service. The law is retroactive to January 1, 2012, making the Proffitt family eligible for benefits.\n\n\u201cChief Proffitt embodied what it means to be a model Kentuckian \u2014 a military veteran, a devoted public servant, and a law enforcement leader who protected his community with honor,\u201d said Congressman Barr. \u201cHis murder was a clear act of retaliation, and yet his family was denied the benefits they deserved because of a technicality. The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act corrects that injustice. I am grateful to the Proffitt family for their strength and perseverance, and proud to lead this bill across the finish line to give them and other families across America who face similar tragedies the benefits they deserve.\u201d\n\n\"I personally knew Herbert \u201cSprocket\u201d Proffitt well. He was a great public servant who spent his entire life making my community a safer place. I\u2019m very happy to support this legislation for his fine family,\u201d said U.S. Congressman James Comer (R-KY), who represents Tompkinsville.\n\n\u201cChief Proffitt dedicated his life to the Commonwealth of Kentucky and ultimately sacrificed his life as a result of his service. I am thrilled to see the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act become law to honor his sacrifice and legacy,\u201d said U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) who represents many of the Proffitt family members in Congress.\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the entire Proffitt family, we want to express our sincere appreciation to Congressman Andy Barr for leading the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act,\u201d said Jeff Proffitt, son of Chief Proffitt and the former Mayor of Tompkinsville. \u201cWe are grateful to Congressman Barr and his team for their dedication in getting this legislation enacted, and to Supporting Heroes for recognizing the need for this bill and helping start the process several years ago.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police, we extend our deepest gratitude to Congressman Andy Barr for his tireless efforts in securing the passage of the Chief Herbert Proffitt Act within the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act,\u201d said Scott Hildebrand, President of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police. \u201cChief Proffitt\u2019s legacy embodies service, sacrifice, and devotion to community, and this legislation ensures his memory will continue to inspire future generations. It demonstrates to young men and women entering law enforcement that our legislators stand firmly behind those who serve\u2014even after retirement. Congressman Barr\u2019s commitment to honoring Kentucky\u2019s heroes reflects his unwavering support for law enforcement and the values we uphold. We are proud to recognize his leadership and dedication to preserving the legacy of one of our own. Congressman Barr continues to honor and support the men and women in law enforcement, and the 12,000 members of the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police are deeply thankful.\u201d\n\n\u201cFLEOA strongly supports this commonsense legislation to strengthen the Public Safety Officer\u2019s Benefits program and ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers targeted by criminals for violence due to their former service are eligible for PSOB benefits,\u201d said Mat Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). \u201cThe PSOB program is a lifeline for federal, state, and local officers who are killed or permanently injured in the line of duty. We are grateful to Representative Andy Barr and the bill\u2019s supporters for their leadership and steadfast commitment to the law enforcement community.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation closes a long-standing gap in federal law, delivering fairness and dignity to the families whose loved ones have paid the ultimate price. It also reinforces our solemn obligation to law enforcement professionals who confront danger every day to keep our communities safe,\u201d said Bert Eyler, President of the Police Officers\u2019 Defense Coalition.\n\n\u201cThe Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act makes an important change that will assist families during a challenging time. Approving this measure is the right thing to do and honors the service and sacrifice of both law enforcement officers and their families,\u201d said the Major Cities Chiefs Association.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://barr.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C7C392C2-6ED2-475C-A5E7-BE11566E2085"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6310480423271656, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}