HARRISBURG, PA — A new law, which takes effect on Dec. 23, increases the maximum penalty for anyone convicted of assaulting a Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) or Deputy WCO to a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 40 years in prison.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe offered praise for the recent enactment of the legislation. “The new law seeks fairness for the law enforcement officers who face dangerous situations in the fulfillment of their responsibilities, as demonstrated by the tragic death of WCO David Grove in 2010.This new law takes a giant step in the protection of game commission officers and does so in a way that is consistent with other similar law enforcement personnel,” Roe said.