Penn Township administrators are attempting to resolve whether the wife of a recently deceased police officer is entitled to municipality-paid health care benefits after Dec. 31.

Tina Gillen's husband, Jeff, a township police officer from 1998 until 2007, died of cancer on Sept. 9. He was 37.

Mrs. Gillen says township Finance Director Linda Iams told her she would no longer have health care coverage after Dec. 31.

About 40 police officers and their family members, including retired township police officer Anthony Pecora, attended Monday night's commissioners meeting to find out why the coverage was ending.

Mr. Pecora, vice president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 39, told the board he was speaking on behalf of FOP members and Mrs. Gillen.

"Mrs. Gillen would have received a new medical card," Mrs. Iams told commissioners. "But there has been no communication with Mrs. Gillen regarding coverage duration."

Board Chairman Charles Horvat, board members George Dunbar and Kenneth Darragh and township Manager Bruce Light said they were unaware of Mrs. Gillen's situation before Monday night and had never discussed the matter. Commissioners Paul Wersing and Michael Ginsberg were absent.

"You will have an answer in writing within a week of this meeting," Mr. Horvat pledged to Mr. Pecora.

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