|
|
|
|
|
News Archives
Insiders Archives
|
Bonnen Files Legislation in Memory of Fallen Officer
AUSTIN -
State Representative Dennis Bonnen (R- Angleton) is cracking down on drunk
drivers in a bill filed in memory of a former police officer from Danbury.
Bonnen has filed House Bill 103, known as the Justin Wollam Act, in an
effort to help local law enforcement agencies create safer roads for all
Texans.
Wollam was a
patrol officer for the Anchorage Police Department who was killed in the
line of duty during a high-speed chase with a drunken driver in Alaska on
July 9, 2001.
Under provisions
of the Justin Wollam Act, an additional $100 will be imposed on anyone
convicted of an alcohol-related offense. The money is to be deposited into
the law enforcement equipment fund of a county or municipality and used to
purchase law enforcement equipment to assist in the enforcement and
prevention of alcohol-related offenses.
"The Justin
Wollam Act will provide much-needed funds to help our local law enforcement
officers keep drunk drivers off our roads," Bonnen said.
Bonnen, who
thinks the bill can mean increased safety for everyone in Texas, says he has
asked that HB 103 be known as the Justin Wollam Act.
"We would like
to honor Justin Wollam's commitment and sacrifice in the line of duty,"
Bonnen said. "This was a young officer who died protecting his community.
If there is anything a state can do to keep this from happening to other
officers, it needs to be done."
The idea for
this legislation was brought to Bonnen by the mother of the fallen officer,
Danbury resident Beverly Wollam.
"Mrs. Wollam
has been very interested in finding ways to help protect officers and
civilians from drunk drivers" Bonnen said. "I am confident that this
legislation will help with her efforts."
|
|
This site was last updated 02/07/03 |
