A state trooper gunned down in a traffic stop late last year has prompted a scramble at the state Capitol to make sure his widow is able to keep her health insurance benefits.

Lawmakers - led by House Speaker David Ralston - are rushing through a bill that would permit the spouse of a state employee killed in the line of duty to continue health coverage under the state plan.

And at the center of the push is an unlikely alliance - Gov.Nathan Deal and the Democrat he beat in November, former Gov. Roy Barnes.

Barnes - who's representing the widow of slain trooper Chadwick LeCroy pro bono - contacted Deal's office and the Republican agreed to help.

Deal's predecessor - Sonny Perdue - vetoed a similar bill in 2006.

Tags: Roy Barnes, Governor Nathan Deal, Health Insurance Benefits