[sirens blare] >> reporter: when a sniper opened fire in dallas last july, heidi smith's husband was of five officers killed. >> just because he wore the uniform, he still came home to us every night. >> reporter: now smith is afraid more police will be targeted. >> i was in downtown dallas going to an event with my children. i was scared the whole time at night to be in a patrol car. >> reporter: what were you worried about? >> someone walking up and shooting us. >> reporter: a hate crime? >> yes. >> reporter: 135 officers were killed on duty in 2016, the highest total in five years. of those, 21 officers were ambushed, the highest total in more than two decades. >> this is the building. this is el centro, the college. >> reporter: that's why texas state representative jason valaba introduced a bill to give the blue uniform itself protection. >> now we're seeing attacks on police officers based solely on one thing -- their status as police officers. i think that's what is important about this legislation. >> reporter: there are people who would say it cheapens the category, that hat

and people don't like to talk about that, but that's where we are. po reporter: heidi smith believeslegislation will give police the protection they need to do their job. would it be a validation of mike's life to have this bill passed? >> absolutely, and the other four officers, as well. >> reporter: texas governor greg abbott is expected to sign the iw bill into law, but while many states are moving closer to eoing the same, critics say the only way to make police work truly safer is better training and a deeper relationship with the community. >> ninan: thank you, tony. legendary rocker gregg allman died today at his home in savannah, georgia. >> ♪ to sweet melissa >> ninan: the soulful singer- songwriter cofounded the allman brothers band in 1969 along with his late brother duane. he battled liver cancer for several years and stopped performing six months ago. his new album is scheduled to oome out in september. gregg allman was 69 years old. coming up next, we're on the front lines of the food crisis he war-torn syria. ys to manage my symptoms. i thought i was doing okay... then

. >> reporter: heidi smith believes the legislation will give police the protection they need to do their. >> is it a valuation to have this bill, following his death? >> absolutely. yes. and other poor officers as well. >> repor abbott is expected to sign a new bill into law. while many states move closer to doing the same, critics say the only way to make police safer is improe relations with the community. >> it calls into question the definition of hate crime and bigotry. >> it can be a hateful act and not a hate >>> up next, medical news and the morning rounds. fruit juice, how muchs i too much for our kids. >>> working out with friends. millions and millions of them. we'll show you gear, breathable with bacteria. you are watching "cbs this morning" saturday. hey, man. oh! nice man cave! nacho? [ train whistle blows ] what?! -stop it! -mm-hmm. we've been saving a lot of money ever since we switched to progressive. this bar is legit. and now we get an even bigger discount from bundling home and auto. i can get used to this. it might take a minute. -swing and a miss! -slam du