The widow of an Orange County deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty attended the ceremonial signing of a bill in Orlando on Monday.
The bill, named after Orange County Deputy Scott Pine, who was killed in the line of duty, gives beneficiaries of first responders their monthly salary for a lifetime.
Pine's widow, Bridget Pine, and their three children, law enforcement, legislators and Gov. Rick Scott attended the ceremony.
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Bridget Pine pushed for two years to have the bill passed.
“It does help my grief process because I know my husband’s legacy of helping others continues on, and that is so important to me,” she said.
The bill was signed into law on April 8, and Monday’s signing was ceremonial.
“Governor, why do this today and not on the 8?" Asked Channel 9’s Shannon Butler.
“It was the right time to do it. I mean this is wonderful to do this today. Again, I want to thank the sheriff for putting this together here,” said Scott.
Bridget Pine will get $40,000 a year. The bill will be retroactive to 2013, and she said she has already talked to two widows who will get those benefits too.
Scott Pine was shot and killed in 2014 while responding to a call about car break-ins. Pine chased suspect Benjamin Holtermann through a nearby back yard, but collapsed after Holtermann shot him, investigators said.
Holtermann then shot and killed himself, authorities said.
Cox Media Group
