Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed into law House Bill 143, which is named after 40-year-old Sheffield K-9 Sgt. Nick Risner, who was murdered in October 2021 while in the line of duty.

Sponsored by State Rep. Phillip Pettus (R-Killen), the “Nick Risner Act” prevents convicts who used a deadly weapon to murder someone from being released early under Alabama’s “Good Time” law.

Risner’s murderer had served three years of a 10-year prison sentence when he gained early release under the state’s so-called correctional incentive law, which was passed by the Alabama Legislature in 1980.

In announcing her signing of the legislation, Ivey advised that the newly enacted law would “go a long way” in preventing murders such as Risner’s from taking place.

“Standing up for our men and women in blue is a top priority for my administration,” declared Ivey. “Sergeant Risner’s killer should have never been released from prison in the first place, and while there is nothing that can be done to reverse this horrific tragedy, this legislation will go a long way in ensuring violent offenders remain off the streets.”

“I’m especially thankful to Representative Phillip Pettus and the members of both the House and Senate for ensuring this life-saving legislation got across the finish line,” added the governor. “My prayers remain with the Risner family.”

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL