The bill was introduced after a convicted police murderer was moved to a medium-security prison. | Kindel Media/Pexels
The bill was introduced after a convicted police murderer was moved to a medium-security prison. | Kindel Media/Pexels
Georgia lawmakers are pushing a measure that would mandate all convicted cop killers to be confined to maximum-security prisons.
The bill was introduced after a convicted police murderer, Jeffrey McGee, was moved to a medium-security prison, wherein he harassed the slain officer's family via social media, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
"The families of our fallen officers have suffered enough, and Bishop's Law would prevent these families from ever being victimized again," Rep. Clint Crowe, the bill's sponsor, told Fox 5 Atlanta.
The bill is named in honor of former police Capt. Robbie Bishop, who was killed in the line of duty more than two decades ago along Interstate 20, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.
"When I was serving as a 911 dispatcher at 20 years old, Captain Bishop inspired me to become a law enforcement officer myself, so I am proud to carry this legislation on behalf of his family," Crowe said. "Those who murder law enforcement officers should never have the chance to obtain contraband to harass the victim's family. I want to thank Chairman Collins for helping me push this legislation forward and giving it a chance to become a law as soon as possible."
Bishop's family reached out to Butts County Sheriff Gary Long, alerting him of McGee's transfer and behavior, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. After Long made a post about the incident on social media, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and other local lawmakers took action and got McGee transferred back to the maximum-security prison.
Bishop was well-known within state law enforcement for large-scale drug busts that took place along highways in Atlanta, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Long said that Bishop developed techniques that are still practiced by law officials nationwide.
"Robbie was the guy," Long told Fox 5 Atlanta. "He was the professor of law enforcement, and unfortunately he paid the ultimate sacrifice on January 20, 1999."
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