‘Never leave anybody behind’: The ballot question Virginians could vote on to help families of first responders killed on the job

Virginia lawmakers unanimously approved legislation that would ask voters whether the state constitution should be amended to allow surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty to keep receiving their full pension for the rest of their lives.

The proposed amendment will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot as Question 1. A “yes” vote would amend the Virginia Constitution to allow surviving spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters, rescue squad members and emergency medical services personnel who die in the line of duty to receive 100% of their deceased spouse’s retirement benefits for the rest of their lives.

Currently, surviving spouses receive 50% of their deceased spouse’s retirement benefits.

The legislation was patroned by Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, and Sen. Monty Mason, D-Williamsburg. It passed the House of Delegates 98-0 on Feb. 14 and the Senate 39-0 on March 8.

“This is not a political issue. This is not a partisan issue. This is a matter of right and wrong,” Davis said during a news conference in February.

Mason said the legislation is a way to show appreciation for the sacrifices that first responders make.

“These are the folks that run into danger when everybody else is running away,” Mason said. “They put their lives on the line to protect us, and we need to make sure that we’re taking care of their families if something happens to them.”

The Virginia State Police Association, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, and the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Association all support the legislation.

If voters approve the amendment, Virginia would join 26 other states that have similar laws in place.