The House approved legislation last week from U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) to ensure severe penalties are imposed for the murder or attempted murder of local law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders.
The Thin Blue Line Act was approved with support from U.S. Reps. Martha Roby (R-AL) and Dan Donovan (R-NY). Under current law, the death penalty can only be considered in cases involving the murder of federal law enforcement officers. But the bill would expand considerations for the federal death penalty to include the killing of state and local law enforcement officers and first responders.
“America’s police officers and first responders are the first ones on scene to help those in harm’s way,” Buchanan said. “These brave men and women and their families put it all on the line and deserve our unwavering support. Getting this bill signed into law will protect those who serve our communities and send a clear message: targeting or killing our first responders will not be tolerated.”
The measure would apply to cases involving federal, state and local police officers, firefighters and first responders as long as there is federal jurisdiction, such as in interstate homicides, homicides on federal lands or homicides as part of a joint task force.
Speaking in support of the Thin Blue Line Act on the House floor, Roby said, “It is time to send a clear, strong message: If you kill a law enforcement officer, you will be brought to justice and punished to the full extent of the law.”
Attacks in Dallas, Baton Rouge, Chicago, and elsewhere are reminders of the dangers law enforcement officers face when they go to work. “The last few years have seen a disturbing uptick in the instances of police being targeted by violent criminals just because they are wearing a badge,” said Roby, a member of the Judiciary Committee.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, at least 64 police officers were shot and killed in the line of duty last year, Roby noted, 21 of which were ambush-style killings.
Last week, Donovan supported the Thin Blue Line Act and the American Law Enforcement Heroes Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), which would create new opportunities for veterans to serve as law enforcers.
“The brave men and women who protect and serve our communities deserve our gratitude and appreciation,” Donovan said. “These bills are critical to deterring threats against police officers, and to easing the transition into civilian life for returning service members.”
So far this year, there have been 50 deaths of law enforcement officers serving in the line of duty, a 39 percent spike from the same period in 2016, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.