House passes state Rep. Ed Neilson’s Constable William Davidson Reward Fund legislation

HARRISBURG, April 26 -- State Rep. Ed Neilson introduced legislation passed by the House today that would establish the Constable William Davidson Reward Fund, which would provide rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals who commit criminal homicide against a law enforcement officer.

“There was a 36% increase in law enforcement homicides from the previous year,” Neilson said. “This legislation will serve as a stern warning to anyone who wants to engage in violence against the men and women who protect us daily.”

Constable William Davidson was the first law enforcement officer to be killed at a criminal’s hands in Pennsylvania, when he went to serve a warrant and was ambushed by a second man who had intentions of killing the man named on the warrant. Davidson was killed when he encountered the second man, who was subsequently found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Neilson said this fund will serve to honor Davidson’s memory and the memory of all law enforcement officers lost in the line of duty.

The bill (H.B. 1123) will now move to the Senate for consideration.