Gov. John Bell Edwards signed a bill into law on May 31 in Baton Rouge that will provide full retirement benefits to a shot Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agent and other hazardous duty members.
House Representative Terry Brown of District 22 authored House Bill 37 that will provide full Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) benefits to hazardous duty members that are totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty by an intentional act of violence. LDWF’s own Scott Bullitt will qualify for the full LASERS retirement benefits because of this bill.
Bullitt, originally from Grant Parish, had been an agent for over five years when he was shot in the line of duty on May 21, 2015 in Ouachita Parish. Bullitt has been confined to a wheelchair since the shooting and was unable to return to regular LDWF agent duties.
“This law was a top priority within the department’s legislative package since it directly affected one of our agents and to show Scott how much the department valued his service,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “We are happy for Scott, and honored that this law will be of assistance to all enforcement and other law enforcement personnel. I thank Representative Brown, the legislature and Governor John Bel Edwards for making this happen.”
Bullitt’s shooter, Luke Hust, was sentenced to life in prison on Jan. 27, 2016 in Ouachita Parish.
“I can’t describe how thankful I am for this bill becoming law,” said Bullitt. “Not only will it help me, but in the tragic event that this happens again other agents won’t have to worry about being taken care of retirement wise.”
