In re Smith

OPINION

Montana, C.J.

This is a claim for compensation arising out of the death of Deputy Sheriff Walter Smith, the chief jailor of the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office at the Criminal Justice Center in Ottawa, Illinois (La Salle County Jail), pursuant to the provisions of the Law Enforcement Officers, Civil Defense Workers, Civil Air Patrol Members, Paramedics, Firemen and State Employees Compensation Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 48, par. 281 et seq. (the Act)). Deputy Smith suffered a heart attack at the jail on May 6, 1984, and died at a hospital later the same day.

On August 9, 1985, this…