H. B. 2001
(Delegates Beane, Love, Martin, J., Mezzatesta and Rowe)
(Introduced January 11, 1995; 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 funeral services for
certain law enforcement officers;
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, upon request of
next of kin, the force or department shall honor the death of
such member at the funeral service by draping the coffin of the
member with the state flag. Any person or entity shall be
entitled to purchase such flag from the office of the secretary
of state. In the case of a member who died during active duty,
such flag shall be provided by the secretary of state at no
charge.
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, upon
the request of next of kin, the force or department shall honor the death of such officer at the funeral service by draping the
coffin of such member with the state flag. Any person or entity
shall be entitled to purchase such flag from the office of the
secretary of state. In the case of a member who died during
active duty, such flag shall be provided by the secretary of
state at no charge.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to honor state troopers and
municipal police officers who have died either on active duty or
after being honorably retired or discharged by providing state
flags for draping their coffins at their funeral.