CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today signed a law creating a death benefit for families of police officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.

“Our dedicated police officers and firefighters continually make sacrifices for us. But it is not just these brave men and women who are making sacrifices, it is also their families. With this new law, we are pledging to our dedicated police officers and firefighters that we will always be there for them, and their families,” Gov. Lynch said.

Senate Bill 169 creates a $100,000 benefit for the families of fallen police officers and firefighters.

“We can never fully repay the families of fallen officers and firefighters, but with this new law we are showing our appreciation. We are making a commitment to help the families of the brave men and women who perform selfless acts for us each and everyday,” Gov. Lynch said.

The legislation is sponsored by Sens. Lou D'Allesandro, Bob Clegg, Bob Letourneau, Betsi DeVries, Joe Foster, Maggie Hassan, Iris Estabrook, Harold Janeway, Kathy Sgambati, David Gottesman, Deb Reynolds, Martha Fuller Clark, Peter Burling, Mike Downing, John Gallus, Jack Barnes; and Reps. Dan Eaton, Andrew Peterson, Albert Weare, and Mark Preston.