Court: No workers’ comp for cops who kill suspects

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina law officers who are distressed after killing someone in the line of duty aren’t entitled to workers’ compensation.

The state Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled current law doesn’t cover benefits for officers because they know they may have to use deadly force

But the justices also said state law needs to be amended so that more people can get workers’ compensation benefits.

In 2009, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Bentley killed a man he said threatened to take his gun and kill him. Bentley said he suffered from anxiety and depression, and doctors said he was too stressed to work.

Bentley was denied workers’ compensation, with commissioners noting deputies get training on deadly force and know they might have to use it.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP