Hugh O'Connor

Hugh Edward Ralph O'Connor (born April 7, 1962 in Rome; died March 28, 1995 in Pacific Palisades, California) was an American actor, known for his role as Det./ Lt. Lonnie Jamison on In the Heat of the Night from 1988-1995.

The Hugh O'Connor Memorial Law

After Hugh's death, his father successfully lobbied to get the State of California to pass legislation that allows family members of an addicted person or anyone injured by a drug dealer's actions, including employers, to sue for reimbursement for medical treatment and rehabilitation costs. The law, known as the Drug Dealer Civil Liability Act in California, went into effect in 1997.

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Eleven other states followed with similar legislation, which has been referred to as The Hugh O'Connor Memorial Law.

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In April 1997 the Florida Senate unanimously passed The Hugh O'Connor Memorial Act, which allows people injured by drug dealers to sue for damages.

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