| Since 2013, Senator Bob Casey and I have worked together to pass legislation that will provide federal correctional officers with a form of self-defense: non-lethal pepper spray.
I have good news! On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed our bipartisan legislation. It passed the Senate unanimously just a couple months ago, and it now goes to President Obama for his signature.
This bill was inspired by the tragic death of Officer Eric Williams, a correctional officer at the U.S. Penitentiary Canaan in Waymart, Pa. Under Bureau of Prisons policy, guards are sometimes placed on duty alone, with no defensive gear. Thirty-four year old Eric Williams paid the price for this policy. In February 2013, Eric was working alone in a housing unit of 125 inmates, carrying only a radio, handcuffs, and keys. A gang member, who was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, ambushed and murdered Officer Williams — beating him savagely enough to crush his skull and stabbing him with a prison-made weapon 129 times.
Every day, America’s law enforcement officers, like Eric Williams, place their own lives at risk to defend the rest of us. For this, they deserve our gratitude and our support. They also deserve the resources necessary to protect themselves. This bipartisan effort was made possible by the tireless efforts of Eric’s parents, Don and Jean Williams, who turned their family tragedy into a national effort to protect other officers.
You can learn more about this bill here. |
