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Debbie Roselle pushed lawmakers to introduce Phil's Bill No. 556 after Phil Roselle, a 30-year officer with the Norwalk Police Department was shot at a precinct shooting range in 2017.
"He was very badly injured. The bullet is still inside him. His kidneys failed and he had to go on dialysis. He's been fighting for his life. He needs to get healthy so he can get on a kidney transplant list," Debbie Roselle told Daily Voice.
Phil Roselle was just 50 but forced to retire because of his injuries.
"I started out by contacting top politicians multiple times. I did hours of tedious research. It was really hard but I was fighting for him to give him some hope and some justice to carry on so he can get strong," she said.
Debbie Roselle found out about an organization called Violently Injured Police Officers in Massachusetts.
"I reached out to the co-founder Mario Oliveira. He was a retired detective who was shot many times and permanently injured in the line of duty. He told me about legislation that would compensate public safety personnel injured on the job," said Debbie.
Ultimately she was successful in having lawmakers introduce Phil's bill.
"I testified twice with my children. I am recovering from vocal chord surgery which I needed from fighting so hard," she said.
Debbie Roselle heard news of the bill's passing in the State Assembly Wednesday, June 5.
"Sen. (Bob) Duff and lobbyist Brian Anderson called me," Debbie Roselle said. She also heard from several media outlets. "Good Morning America" has reached out to me for an interview. This bill becoming law is the first in the U.S."
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