Shelby County extends full pay and benefits for Sgt. Samuel Lilly indefinitely while policy is drafted

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 17 to continue paying Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Samuel Lilly his full salary and benefits indefinitely until the county adopts a formal policy to govern catastrophic duty injuries.

The item began as a resolution to continue Lilly’s salary, health care, line‑of‑duty (OJI) coverage and related benefits “until his retirement or death, whichever first occurs.” After the county attorney said the proposed resolution was outside existing county policy and risked setting a precedent, commissioners negotiated a substitute that removes a fixed short extension and instead authorizes an indefinite extension “until the development of a policy to include benefits.”

Sponsor Vice Chair David C. Bradford Jr. and supporters said the change was intended to protect Lilly and give county human resources and counsel time to draft a permanent policy. Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the family’s attorney, Jeff Rosenblum, urged prompt action: Rosenblum said Lilly is hospitalized, cannot walk or speak, and the family traveled from Houston to be present.

County Attorney Megan Smith advised the commission that approving benefits outside existing policy “sets a standard” the board could be held to in future claims, and recommended defining the period or tying it to the adoption of a policy. Commissioners ultimately accepted language that explicitly continues Lilly’s full salary and benefits “for an indefinite period of time until development of a policy to include benefits.” The caption was clarified on the record to state “full salary” and an estimated minimum cost of about $118,720 was included in the caption.

Commissioners debated whether 30, 60 or 90 days would be enough for HR to craft a policy; HR and pension board staff said 30 days is unlikely and that crafting a durable policy will require collaboration with retirement board and subject‑matter experts. Human resources directors and the sheriff’s office repeatedly assured the body that Sgt. Lilly’s benefits would not be cut off while work continued.

The substitute passed by roll call after floor amendments and requests to add sponsors; the final tally reported on the record was 11 ayes. Commissioners who spoke said they wanted both to take care of Lilly’s family and to complete a policy that balances care for injured public safety employees with fiscal and precedent concerns.

Next steps: County HR and the county attorney’s office will draft a catastrophic‑injury/medical‑retirement policy for future consideration; the commission’s action preserves Sgt. Lilly’s pay and benefits in the meantime.