The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act, introduced by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The bill ensures that families of retired law enforcement officers killed in retaliation for their service are eligible for federal benefits. It now moves to the House of Representatives for a vote.
The legislation is named after Chief Herbert D. Proffitt, a Korean War veteran and police officer who served for 55 years before retiring in 2009. In 2012, Proffitt was fatally shot in his driveway by a man he had arrested ten years earlier. Although the murder was ruled a direct act of retaliation for his law enforcement service, his family was denied benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program due to his retired status.
“Even though his murder was in direct retaliation for his service, Chief Proffitt’s family was denied the benefits they deserved simply because he had already retired,” Senator Cortez Masto said on the Senate floor. “That is unacceptable.”
The Proffitt Act was originally part of a larger package of seven pro-law enforcement bills introduced by Cortez Masto. Only two measures passed the Senate: the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act and the Improving Police CARE Act. The other five were blocked, with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reportedly objecting in an effort to push for funding to sanctuary cities, according to Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA).
Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) applauded the bill’s passage and urged quick House approval. “This commonsense legislation honors our fallen heroes—regardless of retirement status,” he said. “We have an obligation to care for those who pay the ultimate price while serving in the line of duty.”
The five bills blocked included:
- The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act, which would provide local governments with training and tools to protect officers from dangerous substances;
- The Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act of 2025, aimed at assisting police and first responders with mental health needs;
- The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025, to modernize and reauthorize the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program;
- The Strong Communities Act of 2025, which would incentivize recruits to serve in the neighborhoods where they live;
- The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act, supporting the hiring of retired officers to perform civilian law enforcement tasks.
