HERO Act Signed Into Law, Speeding Pension Benefits for Fallen First Responders' Spouses

The HERO Act was signed into law in December 2025, requiring that surviving spouses of career firefighters or police officers killed in the line of duty begin receiving monthly pension payments without delay. The legislation was prompted by the death of Lieutenant Christopher Higgins, whose family experienced a benefits gap under prior county law. The one-year anniversary of Higgins' death was marked on January 11, 2026.