§ 12. Death Benefits; Not in Line of Duty.

(1)

If any active member of the police department who has completed at least 10 or more years of credited service in the department dies from causes unconnected with and not as a direct result of the performance of duties as a member of said department, the widow or widower, if any, and surviving issue in being under the age of 18 years, if any, shall be entitled to a monthly pension in the manner as set forth in section 10(2), (3), (4), (5), and (6) of this retirement plan.

(2)

If the active member, at the time of his death, shall have been eligible to retire under section 6 of this retirement plan and otherwise entitled to elect and then receive the pension benefits provided thereunder, and the pension benefits accorded a widow or widower and issue in being under the age of 18 years under section 6 of this retirement plan would be greater than the benefits accorded such widow or widower and issue under section 10 of this retirement plan, then and in that event the member shall be deemed to have retired pursuant to section 6 of this retirement plan and such widow or widower and issue shall be entitled to the higher benefits accorded under section 6 of this retirement plan.

(3)

If an active member of the police department has completed less than 10 years of credited service at the time of death from causes unconnected with and not as a direct result of the performance of duties as a member of the department, a widow or widower shall be entitled to receive only a refund of the member's salary deductions.

(Laws of Fla. ch. 22414(1943), § 10; Laws of Fla. ch. 67-1835, § 1; Laws of Fla. ch. 72-632, § 8; Laws of Fla. ch. 75-462, § 4; Laws of Fla. ch. 95-482, § 12)