License Plate to Honor Fallen Officers Unveiled

Students enrolled in the Criminal Justice Academy at Pinellas Park High School want to honor and remember officers who lost their lives while protecting the public. The Academy organized the group Operation 10-24 which created a specialty license plate and brought the idea to Sen. Jack Latvala (R- Clearwater).

On Wednesday, the students, along with lawmakers unveiled the proposed specialty license plate.

“The idea for this specialty tag came from students in the Criminal Justice Academy where they are training our future law enforcement officers. This is truly a fine way to honor our law enforcement officers who have given their lives while serving their community,” Senator Latvala stated in a press release.

Latvala and Rep. Dwight Dudley (D-St. Petersburg) filed a bill to be considered during the 2013 Legislative Session, which would create a specialty license plate to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Senate bill 712 and House bill 911 would provide proceeds from the annual fee of $25 for each tag to benefit the Police and Kids Foundation, Inc. which is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity. 

Seventy percent of the funds from the tag fee would go toward training and equipment for law enforcement officer safety and 30 percent to education. This could include high school programs that have a law enforcement education focus or a scholarship for a student in the police academy.   

“I admire the efforts of the students and the intended use for the funds, which will help our current and future law enforcement officers,” Latvala said.

Dudley stated in a press release, ”This is the least that we can do to honor the brave men and women who protect us. They risk their lives on a daily basis, so that we may live ours in peace. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice for those that they serve, and I am glad to do whatever I can to serve them in kind.”

Officials say the imag of the attached plate will be revised. The word "hero" will replace the word "man."

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