H.
B.
4597
(By Delegates Beane, L. White, Love, Martin,
Mezzatesta, Phillips and Staton)
[Introduced February 24, 1994; referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend article fourteen, chapter eight of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section twenty-four; and to amend article two, chapter fifteen of said code, by adding thereto a new section, designated section forty-four, all relating to the funeral services of police officers and state troopers and honoring such officers by draping the state flag over their coffins.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article fourteen, chapter eight of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section twenty-four; and that article two, chapter fifteen of said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section forty-four, all to read as follows:
CHAPTER 8. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.
ARTICLE 14. LAW AND ORDER; POLICE FORCE OR DEPARTMENTS; POWERS,
AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF LAW
-
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS
AND POLICEMEN; POLICE MATRONS; SPECIAL SCHOOL ZONE
AND PARKING LOT OR PARKING BUILDING POLICE
OFFICERS; CIVIL SERVICE FOR CERTAIN POLICE
DEPARTMENTS.
§
8-14-24. Draping of state flag to honor the passing of members
of the police force or department of a municipality.
Upon the death of any member of the police force or department of a municipality who died during active duty or who was honorably discharged or honorably retired, the force or department shall honor the death of such member at the funeral service by draping the coffin of the officer with the state flag. The family of such member shall be entitled to purchase such flag from the office of the secretary of state.
CHAPTER 15. PUBLIC SAFETY.
ARTICLE 2. DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
§
15-2-44. Draping
of state
flag to honor the passing of
members.
Upon the death of any member who died while on active duty or after being honorably discharged or honorably retired, the force or department shall honor the death of such member at the funeral service by draping the coffin of such member with the state flag. The family of such member shall be entitled to purchase such flag from the office of the secretary of state.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to honor state troopers and city or county police officers who have died either on active duty or after being honorably retired or discharged by draping their coffins with the state flag.