Section 208-C. Death benefits for dependent fathers or dependent mothers of certain policemen and firemen

1. Notwithstanding any  other  provision  of  law,  and  in  addition  to  any  benefits  otherwise  provided, any
  municipality, as enumerated in  section  two  hundred  eight-b  of  this
  chapter,  may  elect  to  make  the  death  benefit  provided thereunder
  available and paid to the dependent father or dependent  mother,  as  he
  shall  have nominated by written designation duly acknowledged and filed
  with the chief officer  of  the  municipality  maintaining  such  police
  department, or police force, or fire department; or, if there be no such
  nomination,  then  to  his dependent father or dependent mother, as such
  chief officer, in his discretion, shall determine if
    (a) The member shall leave no widow, or if his widow shall die  before
  receiving  the  total  of  the  amounts  provided  in subdivision two of
  section two hundred eight-b of this chapter, and
    (b) He has no child or children under the age of eighteen surviving.
    2. Application for such death benefit shall be made  by  the  member's
  dependent   father  or  dependent  mother  in  the  manner  provided  in
  subdivision four of section two hundred eight-b of this chapter.