Brooks and Coats Applaud Passage of Alicia Dawn Koehl Respect for National Cemeteries Act in the House of Representatives

Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN5) and United States Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) applauded today’s passage of the Alicia Dawn Koehl Respect for National Cemeteries Act by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill gives the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of the Army authority to disinter ineligible veterans buried in national cemeteries that have committed a federal or state capital crime.

The legislation approved by the House was introduced by Coats and passed by the Senate on November 18. Brooks sponsored companion legislation in the House. The act now heads to the President’s desk for final approval.

“We must do everything we can to protect the hallowed grounds where our nation’s bravest men and women are laid to rest,” Brooks said. “Those who’ve sacrificed so much to protect our freedom should be buried next to fellow heroes. I’m grateful that we’ve taken this important step to protect the integrity of our national cemeteries and give the Koehl family the closure they deserve. Alicia was a mother, daughter, caring friend and compassionate community member. We can never replace the deep sense of loss felt by those who knew and loved her, but I am heartened that we can pay tribute to her with this important piece of legislation.” 

“After more than a year of working with the Koehl family and the Department of Veterans Affairs, we are one step closer to seeing this legislation become law,” Coats said. “This bill protects the integrity of our national cemeteries, enforces current law and ensures that the families of our veterans can bury their loved ones among heroes. I truly wish this legislation was not needed and the tragic situation that devastated a Hoosier family and left two children without their loving mother never occurred. I urge the president to sign this bill into law, protect our national cemeteries and allow Alicia’s concern for others to be her lasting legacy. ”

Specifically, the legislation ensures the VA will disinter the remains of military veteran Michael L. Anderson who shot and killed Indianapolis resident Alicia Dawn Koehl on May 30 of last year. The crime occurred at an apartment complex within the boundaries of Indiana’s 5th Congressional District. Anderson shot Koehl 13 times before taking his own life and was later buried at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Michigan. The burial occurred with full military honors and at taxpayer expense. 

Federal law prohibits individuals who “have committed a Federal or State capital crime but were unavailable for trial due to death” from being buried in national cemeteries. After learning of Anderson’s burial and this law, the Koehl family contacted the VA requesting that he be disinterred.

For over a year, members of Indiana’s Congressional delegation contacted the VA asking for status updates on the matter. On July 30, the VA notified the delegation that the Koehl family’s request would be denied because it lacked the authority to disinter the remains of an individual buried in one of its cemeteries. The Coats-Brooks bill gives the VA the authority it needs to correct its mistake.

“My beloved wife of 16 years, Alicia Dawn, was the glue that held our family together,” said Alicia Koehl’s widower, Paul Koehl. “Through this positive step, at least in some small measure, Alicia’s death will not have been in vain, but instead, an instrument for justice and peace for our family as well as the families of future victims.”

Alicia Koehl was a mother of two and very active in several community causes. She was a Girl Scout Leader and “Volunteer of the Year” at Spring Mill Elementary School. Her passing was mourned with candlelight vigils and an official tribute from the Indianapolis City County Council.

The legislation is co-sponsored by every member of the Indiana Congressional Delegation. To learn more about Senator Dan Coats, go to www.Coats.senate.gov.