Renewed Push for Mark's Law
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: January 14, 2013
There's a renewed push for tougher penalties for people who kill first responders.
The bill was first introduced in 2009 in New York State. Back then, EMT Mark Davis was ambushed and killed when responding to a medical emergency call. It happened near Watertown. Now three years later, the bill is resurfacing.
The Christmas Eve killing of two West Webster firefighters has sparked the push for Mark's Law. If passed, those convicted of killing a first responder would be charged with first-degree murder.
"It's a good thing because for us to be fearful of being gunned down or assaulted while we are trying to save others is one of those things that we don't need to be worried about," said LaShay Harris of Rural Metro Services.
LaShay Harris is a paramedic with Rural Metro. She says in the wake of the Webster shooting, first responders are more cautious.
"The police will secure the scene, and they will let us come in once they see that the scene is secure, so for the most part we have been relatively safe. This recent incident in Webster has changed the whole entire scope of things," said Harris.
The first-degree murder charge is something that already exists for police officers.
"I think anything that legitimizes the EMS personnel, fire personnel at the same level as they do police officers can't be a bad thing. The public already views them in the same light. Now in the legal standing, they will have the same light as well," said Lt. Edward Kuppinger of the Rochester Fire Department.
Lt. Kuppinger supports the new law, but admits first responders will still face danger.
"I think in the long run it may, but there are certainly plenty of people with mental illness out there that aren't paying attention to the laws, but it at least gives the prosecutors the tools to work within that system to help protect the EMS and fire personnel," said Kuppinger.
"What I look at is that this sends a message to our community that our government isn't going to tolerate a tax on first responders," said LaShay.
The bill was first introduced in 2009 in New York State. Back then, EMT Mark Davis was ambushed and killed when responding to a medical emergency call. It happened near Watertown. Now three years later, the bill is resurfacing.
The Christmas Eve killing of two West Webster firefighters has sparked the push for Mark's Law. If passed, those convicted of killing a first responder would be charged with first-degree murder.
"It's a good thing because for us to be fearful of being gunned down or assaulted while we are trying to save others is one of those things that we don't need to be worried about," said LaShay Harris of Rural Metro Services.
LaShay Harris is a paramedic with Rural Metro. She says in the wake of the Webster shooting, first responders are more cautious.
"The police will secure the scene, and they will let us come in once they see that the scene is secure, so for the most part we have been relatively safe. This recent incident in Webster has changed the whole entire scope of things," said Harris.
The first-degree murder charge is something that already exists for police officers.
"I think anything that legitimizes the EMS personnel, fire personnel at the same level as they do police officers can't be a bad thing. The public already views them in the same light. Now in the legal standing, they will have the same light as well," said Lt. Edward Kuppinger of the Rochester Fire Department.
Lt. Kuppinger supports the new law, but admits first responders will still face danger.
"I think in the long run it may, but there are certainly plenty of people with mental illness out there that aren't paying attention to the laws, but it at least gives the prosecutors the tools to work within that system to help protect the EMS and fire personnel," said Kuppinger.
"What I look at is that this sends a message to our community that our government isn't going to tolerate a tax on first responders," said LaShay.
