Mike Fasano Praises Signing of 'Deputy John C. Mecklenberg Act'

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, released the following statement following Gov. Rick Scotts signing HB 667 into law, which increases the penalties against those who kill anyone while fleeing law enforcement:

Law enforcement officers risk their lives each and every day. When an officer steps onto the street at the start of their shift, they dont know what to expect that day. Deputy Mecklenberg was no exception. On the day he was killed, he left behind a wife and two young children.

The bill was one of 80 Scott signed into law on Friday.

The bill, inspired by the death of Hernando County Sheriffs Deputy John C. Mecklenburg in July 2011, increases the charges that can be brought against a suspect if a law enforcement officer or bystander is killed while a suspect of a crime is fleeing or eluding law enforcement officers.

This bill, which goes into effect Oct. 1, will allow those accused to be charged with first- or second-degree murder -- the former being punishable up to death or life imprisonment.