Families of fallen OPD lieutenant, Orange County deputy to receive benefits

ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 received a breakdown of the death benefits being received by the families of two law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

Officials said Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton was fatally shot Jan. 9 while trying to arrest suspect Markeith Loyd. Orange County First Class Deputy Norman Lewis died that same day after being hit on his motorcycle during the search for Loyd.

The two families are getting different benefits and different amounts because the pensions for the city and state are different.

Related headline: 10-7: Dispatcher reads ‘last call’ for fallen Orlando police sergeant

In Orlando, the pensions are determined through collective bargaining, meaning negotiations between the police union and the city.

Clayton's family will receive benefits through her city pension and other means, such as her life insurance policy.

“Who would have thought that by stopping at Walmart just to pick up a few items it would end up [with you] losing your life?” WFTV legal analyst and former judge Belvin Perry said.

Related headline: 10-7: Dispatcher reads ‘last call' for fallen Orange County deputy

Perry fought for changes to the state pension system and won. Instead of 50 percent, spouses of fallen officers with state pensions now get 100 percent of an officer’s annual salary for life.

“That to me was an injustice,” Perry said of the earlier benefit.

Lewis had a state pension through the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, meaning his family will be able to get all $49,000 of his annual salary. But it's a different plan for the city.

Related headline: Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton laid to rest

Clayton's husband will get 60 percent of her roughly $90,000 salary, meaning her husband will receive $54,000 a year for life. The city said Clayton's son will also receive an insured first responder line of duty death benefit.

Perry said he hopes all law enforcement pensions will eventually follow the state's policy.

“The least that we can do as citizens of this great state is to make sure that their families are made whole,” he said.

The city said families of fallen officers are also able to apply for federal benefits.

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