When a Division of Correction employee retires from service with at least twenty (20) years of service or dies while still employed with the division, in recognition of and appreciation for the service of the retiring or deceased employee, the Director of the Division of Correction may award the service weapon carried by the employee at the time of his or her retirement from service or death to:
(1) The employee;
(2) The employee's spouse if the spouse is eligible under applicable state and federal laws to possess a firearm; or
(3) The surviving child of the employee if there is no surviving spouse and the surviving child is eligible under applicable state and federal laws to possess a firearm.
(4) If there is more than one (1) surviving child of the employee, the service weapon may be awarded to the oldest surviving child if he or she is eligible under applicable state and federal laws to possess a firearm.
(5) If the oldest of the surviving children is not eligible to possess a firearm under applicable state and federal laws, then the service weapon may be awarded to the next-oldest surviving child if he or she is eligible to possess a firearm under applicable state and federal laws.