Some Allegany County legislators are seeking to have federal officials make it a federal capital offense to murder local police and first responders.
The Allegany County Board of Legislators will consider a resolution today asking the area’s federal representatives in Congress to introduce and support a law setting a mandatory death penalty for anyone convicted of targeting and murdering state and local law enforcement or first responders.
Legislator Mike Healy, R-Belmont, who retired from the New York State Police in 2009, requested the nonbinding resolution at the Ways and Means committee meeting Dec. 12. Healy said at the meeting the law would show support for police. The resolution was passed by the committee despite Legislator Debra Root voting in opposition, with the minutes of the meeting indicating she is opposed to the death penalty.