State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco (R-Boonton) said on Friday that he will introduce legislation to ensure that the family of a New Jersey State Police recruit who died of injuries during a training exercise would receive the death benefits of a sworn law enforcement officer.
Lucas C. Homeijer, a 27-year-old Boonton native, was critically injured during a boxing exercise last week. He died on Tuesday.
“This young man died a hero while training to become a State Trooper who would protect and serve New Jersey families,” Bucco said. “His intention was to serve, and we should honor his sacrifice in that pursuit even though his dream was never fully realized.
Bucco said he would change the current law that prevents training deaths from being considered to have occurred in the line of duty.
Instead, the Morris County legislator would classify recruits who die as a result of their training would have survivor benefits.
“This tragedy is a reminder that being a State Trooper and training to be a Trooper are both difficult and dangerous jobs,” added Bucco. “Once someone answers the call to service, they deserve to know that we’ll take care of their family should the worst happen. It’s unimaginable that we might let a loophole in the law prevent us from honoring that commitment. We have a moral obligation to fix this.”