LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Photos bring back memories for 41-year-old Nick Clark of his late husband, Christopher McKinney. 

The couple met in 2016, built a relationship and traveled the country. McKinney was the life of the party, had an infectious laugh and many friends.

Clark said his late husband was kind, caring and compassionate. They got married in 2019.  

“Literally, it was the best day of our lives," Clark said as he looked through a photo album. "I would never change that. Everything was perfect.”

Clark keeps extensive case files on what happened just months later.

He said his husband was out with mutual friends at a bar on Bardstown Road in the Highlands, which is now closed. McKinney, who Clark said had too much to drink, was trying to get his coat from the coat check and leave.

Eventually, Clark said, the bouncer removed McKinney. Words were exchanged. Clark said the bouncer punched McKinney once in the head.

“I ended up going to the hospital, and Christopher was already on life support," Clark said. "There was really no chance of him coming back from what the neurosurgeons were saying. About 10 hours later, we took him off life support."

Since his husband’s death, Clark has worked with lawmakers in Frankfort on legislation called Christopher’s Law. It would require training for security officers.

“De-escalation training, crowd control, bomb threats, interpersonal communication, emotional regulation techniques ... especially with nightclub security, (there are) so many things that can happen in an alcohol-driven environment," Clark said. 

Recently, Louisville Metro District 15 Councilwoman Jennifer Chappell (D) filed a new ordinance, Christopher’s Law. It would, according to Chappell’s office, create laws on licensing and training requirements for both armed and unarmed security officers.

“I don’t want to send people to jail," Chappell said. "The idea is for people to be proactive. We really want people to have the training going into these situations. It's not something we’re dealing with from a retroactive perspective.”

Clark initiated the law.

“Nick’s passion just oozes outside of him," Chappell said. "This is definitely something I think that he wants not only for justice but also to prevent ... this situation that he’s gone through happening to anyone else because I think that he really comes from a place of brokenheartedness. I think this, hopefully, will find some healing for him.” 

Clark continues fighting for justice while honoring his late husband’s legacy.

Chappell's office said Christopher’s Law is also being vetted on the state level.