A bill to help Sheriff’s dealing with tragedy more effectively won approval from the Oklahoma Senate today. Senate Bill 1997, the Marvin Williams and Robbie Chase Whitebird County Sheriff Assistance Act, is named for two Seminole County deputies who were tragically murdered in the line of duty. Their death was a blow to the Sheriff in that county, who was faced immediately with the moral responsibilities to the families of the fallen officers and also to his staff, who also were dealing with the loss of colleagues. In addition to those duties, the Sheriff was required to handle paperwork to find deputies from other counties to provide assistance as relief officers for those who had fallen. Should Senate Bill 1997 become law, the Sheriff will be allowed to rely on the services of the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Association to handle the administrative scheduling of relief deputies immediately so the Sheriff is able to comfort those affected by tragedy. The bill passed 41-0.