BY The Cincinnati Enquirer
City officials are recommending against a proposal to cover funeral and burial costs of any Cincinnati city employee killed on the job, saying it is not in line with what other cities do.
City Councilman Todd Portune proposed the plan after council decided to pay for the funeral and burial for Officer Daniel Pope and Spc. Ronald Jeter, killed last December as they tried to arrest a domestic violence suspect.
Council acted this fall, after Officer Pope's wife said Mr. Portune had promised the city would cover funeral costs. Mr. Portune said he merely offered to go to council with a request.
But in a report released Tuesday, city officials recommended against the plan, citing improved survivor benefits.
The report also illustrates that benefits for employees killed in the line of duty are comparable to those of other cities.
City officials reported that other cities surveyed in Ohio and beyond did not provide direct payment for funeral and burial costs.
