Charleston Leader

Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin and Chief of Police Tyke Hunt today issued the following statements regarding the signing of Senate Bill 490, the Patrol Officer Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act, into law.

“There is not a day that goes by that we don’t think about Cassie, her commitment to our community, and the loss that was experienced by so many – especially her brothers and sisters in blue,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “We appreciate the Legislature’s willingness to sit down and listen to our police officers – and, especially, the family of Cassie Johnson.”

“Because of the reckless disregard for human life, Patrol Officer Cassie Johnson is no longer with us. Now that there are stiffer penalties for obstructing the law, we are hopeful bad actors will be deterred from committing these violent crimes and our law enforcement officers and first responders can feel more protected while they are working to serve our communities,” said Chief of Police Tyke Hunt. “Thank you, Sheryl Johnson, for speaking to the bill and for your continued support for law enforcement.”

Senate Bill 490 – the Patrol Officer Cassie Marie Johnson Memorial Act – creates the offense of knowingly and willfully obstructing a law enforcement officer, probation officer, parole officer, courthouse security officer, correctional officer, the State Fire Marshal, a deputy or assistant fire marshal, firefighter, or emergency medical service personnel engaged in their official duties and thereby causing the death of the person acting in his/her/their official capacity.

Original source can be found here