Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025

The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025 would expand the Public Safety Officers' Benefit (PSOB) Program to include retired law enforcement officers and their families. Currently, the PSOB Program provides death and disability benefits to active law enforcement officers and their beneficiaries. This bill would extend those same protections to retired officers who die or become permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of a targeted attack motivated by their prior service as law enforcement officers.

The bill would apply retroactively to cases dating back to January 1, 2012, meaning retired officers and their families who experienced qualifying incidents during that period could file claims for benefits. The legislation defines a retired law enforcement officer as someone who separated from service in good standing from a public agency, whether they received compensation or not. The bill honors Chief Herbert D. Proffitt, who was killed by someone he had previously arrested after his retirement.

If enacted, the bill would provide financial support to surviving families of retired officers through one-time death benefits, as well as disability benefits and education assistance for eligible beneficiaries. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation would cost approximately $1 million over the 2026-2035 period, though the actual cost could vary depending on the number of eligible claims filed. The bill passed the Senate on July 29, 2025, and is now being considered by the House of Representatives.