June 17, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE……………
Contact: Candace Ouillette Gaumond @ 413.599.4785

CANDARAS PUSHES A BILL THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE FOR A SLAIN SPRINGFIELD POLICE OFFICER’S WIDOW

BOSTON – On Wednesday, June 16, 2004, State Representative Gale D. Candaras (D – Wilbraham) successfully pushed a bill through the House which reinstates surviving spouse benefits to Doris Beauregard-Shecrallah, the wife of late Springfield Police Officer Alain Beauregard.

Officer Alain Beauregard was killed in the line of duty in November of 1985, leaving his wife, Doris, and children. According to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 32, Section 100, Doris Beauregard was entitled to surviving spouse benefits as a result of her husband’s untimely death. However, upon remarrying in 1985 and pursuant to state law, Beauregard-Shecrallah’s surviving spouse benefits were terminated.

Candaras, lead sponsor of Beauregard-Shecrallah’s legislation, said, “Mrs. Beauregard- Shecrallah was a young widow. She wanted to start a new life for herself and her small children. Her traditional, Catholic upbringing and concern for her children’s welfare made marriage the only acceptable lifestyle. State law forced her to choose between a legal marriage to Mr. Shecrallah and a substantial economic loss.”

In July 2000, a law was passed which allowed for the continuation of benefits to surviving spouses who chose to remarry. Yet, the law did not grandfather in those surviving spouses who remarried prior to July 2000. As a result, Beauregard-Shecrallah was excluded from receiving her surviving spouse benefits while other widows who remarried after July 2000 continue to receive their benefits.

“In 2000, when the Legislature granted relief to those similarly situated, Mrs. Beauregard- Shecrallah was excluded. This special legislation remedies the wrong done to her, restores her benefits retroactively, and closes a very painful chapter in her life. One person can make a difference, and she did,” said Candaras.

Beauregard- Shecrallah has never ceased to keep her late husband’s memory alive. She is an active and long-time member of the National Concerns of Police Survivors Program, an organization that provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Over the years, Beauregard-Shecrallah has comforted and assisted many surviving families through her efforts and by coordinating numerous events, such as the Blue Light Memorial Ceremony - an event held in the Springfield that honors fallen police officers.

“I’m ecstatic that the House has passed my bill. This has been a long procedure and I’m thrilled that the Legislature has finally recognized the unfairness of excluding benefits because I remarried. I am thankful for all the hard work Representative Candaras did on my bill. I don’t think it would have ever passed through the House with out her help,” exclaimed Beauregard- Shecrallah. “I also appreciate the support and encouragement that the many other dignitaries have given me. Everyone has been so wonderful.”

Beauregard- Shecrallah’s bill has passed through the Senate and awaits the Governor’s signature, where Representative Candaras hopes it will find the support it needs in order to pass. “I hope the Governor will right the wrong that Mrs. Beauregard- Shecrallah has had to deal with for almost twenty years,” Representative Candaras stated. “The passing of this bill is well-deserved and long overdue.”