WASHINGTON (U.S. Newswire) -- The female police officer
who just weeks ago won a long battle against the Ocean County freeholders
died Saturday morning in her home with her longtime partner at her side.
Lt. Laurel Hester, who had been fighting cancer for years, was originally
denied a request to the Ocean County freeholders to transfer her benefits
to her lesbian partner, Stacie Andree.
(see story) Hester feared that her partner would loose the home they
shared when she died if her partner did not receive Hester's benefits.
In a video statement from her hospital room, Hester pleaded to the Ocean
County freeholders to reopen her case. The freeholders refused until a
massive media coverage put the case in the news spotlight. State GOP
leaders eventually threatened the freeholders with bringing in legislation
that would amend the police and fire pension fund to permit domestic
partners to receive benefits and the freeholders finally backed down.
The Hunk
