Indianapolis – July 2, 2024. Data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shows that 136 officers died in the line of duty in 2023. Most of these deaths (47) were firearms-related, with others resulting from accidents and other forms of assaults. In May, Reps. Michael Guest (MS-03), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) introduced U.S. House Resolution 1226 to recognize these fallen officers; as well as those who fell in previous years but whose stories were retrieved in 2023.
H.Res. 1226 also acknowledges that officers pursue equal justice for all, and that they perform their duties with allegiance to the Constitution. This bi-partisan resolution has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for consideration, and it currently has 88 co-sponsors. The resolution’s text can be found here.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently reported that there has been a slow decline in officers being feloniously killed in the line of duty over the past three years. While this may initially give the impression that law enforcement isn’t under fire, FBI data also shows that assaults on officers have increased each of the past three years. More than 79 thousand officers were assaulted in 2023 alone -severely- shattering records from the past 10 years.
These assaults include shots fired on officers, which Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) data indicates have increased by 60% since 2018. In 2023, 378 officers were shot in the line-of-duty, 115 of whom were victims of ambushes. This year is on pace to break last year’s record.
“These numbers indicate that the violence being perpetrated on officers continues unabated,” said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association. “The fact that more officers haven’t been killed is a testament to medical advances, better protective equipment, and heightened awareness on the part of officers,” Fitzsimmons added.
The National Police Association is grateful to Reps. Guest, Letlow, Pappas, and Spanberger for introducing H. Res, 1226. We ask Congress to pass this resolution and urge them to take meaningful steps to prevent these deaths and assaults.
This encompasses shepherding meaningful bills though the legislature.
Key bills to prioritize:
- The Protect and Serve Act (R. 743 / S. 4258) creates a new federal offense for intentionally targeting local, State, or Federal officers.
- The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act (R. 7581 / S. 3522) expands how the Federal government reports attacks on officers.
- The Holding Prosecutors Accountable Act (R. 6999) prohibits district and state attorney offices who fail to prosecute at least 67% of violent crime arrests from receiving Byrne grants.
We also urge Congress to adopt House resolution Regarding Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers (H.Res.1213), which recognizes that diminishing respect for officers of the law and policies like cashless bail, have made police work more challenging. The resolution also calls on the House to take specific actions, including condemning calls to defund the police and acknowledging its obligation to set the tone for how the nation treats its police officers.
Paying tribute to officers who died in the line of duty is the right thing to do, as is taking steps to mitigate these deaths and assaults.
About The National Police Association: The National Police Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit Educational/Advocacy organization. For additional information visit NationalPolice.org
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