N.Y. Bill Would Make Killing Responders First-Degree Murder

City of Watertown Fire Chief Dale C. Herman promised his support on Thursday to help pass proposed state legislation that would make the killing of emergency first responders first-degree murder, punishable by the stiffest penalty allowed by law: life without parole.

While taking a tour Thursday of the city's main fire station on South Massey Street, state Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, asked Chief Herman to have his firefighters sign a petition she's circulating to garner support for the legislation she's calling "Mark's Law."

"Certainly, I hope it's never used, but it's important that we send a strong message," she said.

The proposed bill was introduced in memory of Mark B. Davis, the emergency medical technician who was shot to death while responding to a call for help in Cape Vincent on Jan. 30, 2009. Under current law, the maximum charge is second-degree murder with a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Soon after taking office in January, Sen. Ritchie said she was surprised when Mr. Davis's family told her that convicted killers of emergency responders and firefighters did not receive the same sentences as those who kill police officers.

Getting petitions signed by firefighters and their families and friends is a crucial strategy for passing the bill, she said, adding that she's already getting sponsors to support it.

"I'll make sure they have the opportunity to sign the petitions if they're interested," Chief Herman said.

The law amends the penal law to include emergency responders, EMTs, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, ambulance drivers, paramedics, physicians or nurses involved in a first-response team as victims of first-degree murder.

The bill adds first responders to the list of related public servants in which an intentional killing is deemed first-degree murder, including police officers, peace officers, uniformed court officers, parole officers, probation officers and corrections officers.

Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham invited the senator to the Emma Flower Taylor Fire Station after she recently visited a fire station in Ogdensburg. During her hourlong stop in Watertown, she met with staff and looked at the station's fire equipment.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service