To honor the memory of a murdered police officer, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a new law on May 9.
Senate Bill 844, the Officer Andrew Widman Act, is named after a Fort Myers police officer shot and killed on July 18, 2008. The act clarifies when judges may keep criminal offenders who are most likely to be dangerous behind bars while waiting for a court hearing. The purpose is to give judges the discretion to hold those who have violated probation.
Officer Widman was shot responding to a domestic violence call involving a repeat criminal offender, Abel Arango, who had an outstanding warrant. Arango shot at several officers and was killed by one of them.
A police investigation concluded that a bullet from his gun killed Widman, and that the other officers were justified in firing at him after he shot Widman.
After the deaths of 10 officers in the line of duty this year alone, Gov. Scott said in Fort Myers, “This is a great honor for me and my heart goes out to everyone of you.” Fort Myers is on the Gulf of Mexico coast.
“This act empowers judges to keep criminals off the streets,“ said Scott. “If a person is likely to be sentenced to prison if found guilty, then it is in the best interest of public safety to hold that person in custody while waiting for a hearing.”
When the law was signed a candlelight vigil was held to commemorate the fallen police officers, hosted by the Fort Myers Police Department.
Senate Bill 844, the Officer Andrew Widman Act, is named after a Fort Myers police officer shot and killed on July 18, 2008. The act clarifies when judges may keep criminal offenders who are most likely to be dangerous behind bars while waiting for a court hearing. The purpose is to give judges the discretion to hold those who have violated probation.
Officer Widman was shot responding to a domestic violence call involving a repeat criminal offender, Abel Arango, who had an outstanding warrant. Arango shot at several officers and was killed by one of them.
A police investigation concluded that a bullet from his gun killed Widman, and that the other officers were justified in firing at him after he shot Widman.
After the deaths of 10 officers in the line of duty this year alone, Gov. Scott said in Fort Myers, “This is a great honor for me and my heart goes out to everyone of you.” Fort Myers is on the Gulf of Mexico coast.
“This act empowers judges to keep criminals off the streets,“ said Scott. “If a person is likely to be sentenced to prison if found guilty, then it is in the best interest of public safety to hold that person in custody while waiting for a hearing.”
When the law was signed a candlelight vigil was held to commemorate the fallen police officers, hosted by the Fort Myers Police Department.
