The Florida Senate unanimously passed the Officer Andrew Widman Act, Senate Bill 844, aimed at saving the lives of Florida’s citizens and law enforcement officers. This bill, passed last week, gives both officers and judges the necessary tools to keep repeat violent felony offenders off the streets.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-Ft. Myers), thanked members of the Senate for their unwavering support throughout the legislative process along with Fort Myers Police Chief Doug Baker, Mayor Randy Henderson and the House sponsor Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Ft. Myers, for their ongoing dedication to the effort.

Next, the act will be sent for a final vote by the Florida House, where it is sponsored by Rep. Matt Caldwell, R- Ft. Myers.

“Had the Andrew Widman Act been in effect in 2008, the life of a dedicated Fort Myers police officer could have been spared,” Benacquisto said. “We hope that by closing the loophole that allowed Officer Andrew Widman’s death to happen, we can prevent future tragedies.”

Officer Widman of Fort Myers, had served his community for little more than a year before he was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence dispute. His killer had been arrested days earlier for violating probation by committing another felony, but he was released on bail. With a warrant issued for his arrest, the repeat violent offender knew he would soon be returned to jail and had nothing to lose at the time of the murder, Benacquisto said.

“Every step of the way, we were optimistic that we would reach success,” Baker said. “We hope this pending law will make the Widman family proud that Andrew’s sacrifice was not in vain, as it provides protection to law enforcement and communities from violent felons.”

In the first few months of 2011, Florida has lost five members of the law enforcement community in the process of serving warrants. Detectives Amanda Haworth and Roger Castillo of the Miami-Dade Police Department, Sgt. Tom Baitinger and Police Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz of the St. Petersburg Police Department, and Correctional Officer Col. Greg Malloy of the Florida Department of Corrections all lost their life to a violent offender.

The Andrew Widman Act provides added flexibility to Florida judges, allowing them to take prior offenses into consideration when determining the bail and outcomes for criminals appearing before the court. It also allows law enforcement officers to hold repeat felons behind bars until an expedited violation of probation charges can be issued by a judge prior to the criminal making his or her first appearance, Benacquisto said.

For more details about the Andrew Widman Act, visit www.flsenate.gov.