A special death benefit was passed by the Indiana General Assembly for public safety officers who die in the line of duty.

This benefit, called Hero’s Honor, applies to public safety officer positions listed in IC 5-10-10-4.  However, certain types of public safety officers (those included in the list below) must be enrolled by and must have coverage purchased by their employers.  As an employer, you may elect to purchase coverage at $100 per year for each of your employees in the categories identified in the list below.

Enrollment in the Hero’s Honor program and payment of the $100 annual coverage is required for the following positions: 

• Emergency medical service providers employed by a person who has contracted with a political subdivision,
• Emergency medical service providers performing air ambulance services employed by a health care system affiliated with a state educational institution,
• Police officers and firefighters* who work for post-secondary educational institutions (non-state),
• Police officers employed by an operator,**
• Firefighters who work for a public-use airport that maintains a fire department,

*accredited by the North Central Association
**under IC 8-22-3-34(b). 

See IC 5-10-10-4.5, IC 5-10-10-4.8, and IC 5-10-10-4.9 for additional information.

Public Safety Officer positions, other than those itemized above, that are listed in IC 5-10-10-4 are covered without requiring employer enrollment or the $100 per year per employee annual payment.