(1) The Department of Public Safety shall place a distinctive marker on the cemetery memorial of each Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol officer who is killed in the performance of his or her official duties. The distinctive marker shall be designed by the Department of Public Safety with the advice and recommendation of the Mississippi State Troopers’ Association.
(2) The funding for the distinctive markers shall be made from any funds appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Public Safety or from any gifts, grants or donations received by the Department of Public Safety for the purpose of providing the distinctive markers.
(3) This section shall apply to all Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol officers who have given their lives in the performance of their official duties before and after July 1, 2000.
(4) Any Highway Safety Patrol officer may secure a distinctive marker as authorized in subsection (1) of this section if it is paid for with funds other than funds appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Public Safety.