2023 West Virginia Code
Chapter 61. Crimes and Their Punishment
Article 5. Crimes Against Public Justice
§61-5-17a. Obstructing a Law-Enforcement Officer, Probation Officer, Parole Officer, Courthouse Security Officer, Correctional Officer, the State Fire Marshal, a Deputy or Assistant Fire Marshal, Firefighter, or Emergency Medical Service Personnel Causing Death; Penalty
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, any person who knowingly, willfully, and forcibly obstructs or hinders a law-enforcement officer, probation officer, parole officer, courthouse security officer, correctional officer, the State Fire Marshal, a deputy or assistant fire marshal, firefighter, or emergency medical service personnel lawfully acting in his or her official capacity and thereby proximately causes the death of a law-enforcement officer, probation officer, parole officer, courthouse security officer, correctional officer, the State Fire Marshal, a deputy or assistant fire marshal, firefighter, or emergency medical service personnel so acting, is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for a term of 15 years to life.
(b) For purposes of this section, "forcibly" means actions which involve the use of physical force.
