The New Mexico Supreme Court will hear arguments on Wednesday in a case involving a police officer for Pojoaque Pueblo who died while saving a 12-year-old boy from drowning.

Kevin Schultz, 44, wasn't on duty when he died on August 17, 2002. But the tribe supported his addition to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and helped secure a monetary award for his widow from the Department of Justice.

However, the tribe apparently failed to file a workers' compensation claim before a July 2003 deadline. So Cheryl Schultz is suing the tribe's police department and an insurance company.

"Respondent does not dispute that worker died a hero. However, worker's heroism has no bearing on the issues presented for review," attorneys for the tribe and the company said in court papers, The Las Cruces Sun-News reported.

The courts have so far ruled against Cheryl Schultz.

Get the Story:
Officer's widow seeks compensation for his heroic death (The Las Cruces Sun-News 8/12)