LEAVE AND TRAVEL POLICY CLARIFIED

Washington, DC--The recent tragic death of a Drug Enforcement Administration agent in the line of duty has prompted OPM Director Jim King to remind agency heads of their authority to grant excused absence to employees to attend the funeral of a co-worker killed in the line of duty. In addition, their travel expenses may be reimbursed.

On June 30, a seven-year veteran of the DEA was killed during an undercover operation. Questions arose over whether fellow officers could attend the funeral without charge to their leave.

Agency heads have broad authority to grant excused absence (without charge to pay or leave) for various reasons. Under certain circumstances, one or more employees -- while on official business and without loss of pay or leave -- may attend the funeral of a fellow federal employee who is killed in the line of duty. In addition, the Comptroller General has held that an employee so designated may be reimbursed for his or her travel expenses from agency funds.

"The death of an employee killed in the line of duty is especially tragic," said Jim King. "I wanted to make sure that agencies and employees confronting such a loss are aware of this policy."

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