Court Opinion

ID: 9855913
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 06:34:20.323379+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:37:17.200338
License: Public Domain

*546Carley, Judge,
concurring specially.
I concur in the majority opinion, and agree with all that is set forth therein. I would like to add that it is my opinion that in using the phrase “due to an act of external violence or injury incurred in the line of duty” the legislature meant to set forth two sets of circumstances under which a covered employee would be entitled to the additional benefits provided by that section. One is, as is involved here, where an employee while on duty sustains any injury from any cause which results in permanent disability. The other situation whereby a covered employee would be entitled to the additional benefits would be where permanent disability was due “to an act of external violence” regardless of when or where that act of external violence occurred and regardless of whether the employee was on duty or not. I think the motivation for the legislature in so providing for this additional circumstance of coverage was its recognition of the fact that law enforcement personnel are subject to the vindictive retaliation of those they investigate, arrest or prosecute at any time and not simply when such law enforcement personnel are engaged in “on duty” activities.