WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thom Tillis recently reintroduced the Protect and Serve Act and the Justice for Fallen Law Enforcement Act, legislation to protect law enforcement officers and create strong federal penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers.

“Law enforcement officers in North Carolina and across the country are heroes who risk their lives every day to protect our communities,” said Senator Tillis. “Those who commit senseless acts of violence against law enforcement officers must be held accountable for their actions, which is why I am proud to reintroduce these bills that create federal penalties for criminals who target law enforcement. They put their lives on the line to protect us, and we should do the work in Congress to protect them.”  

“The attack on officers in San Antonio, Texas on January 22, during which seven officers were shot as they responded to a call for help, once again highlights the dangerous profession law enforcement officers have and the risks they face when serving and protecting their communities,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director, National Association of Police Organizations. “The shooting of those seven brave officers is just adding to the ever-increasing number of officers being shot in the line of duty. NAPO is calling on Congress to take up and pass the Protect and Serve Actand the Justice for Fallen Law Enforcement Act to demonstrate that the killing or the attempted killing of our nation’s law enforcement officers is unacceptable and those who commit these heinous crimes must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We thank Senator Tillis for his longstanding commitment to and support for the law enforcement community.”

“We believe the Senate needs to act now and pass the Protect and Serve Act,” said Patrick Yoes, President, National Fraternal Order of Police. “This would be a strong show of support for the men and women in the line of fire and send a clear message to those who would seek to do them harm.” 

Background: 

The Protect and Serve Act would give federal prosecutors more tools to go after those who deliberately target law enforcement officers by creating a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, bodily injury to a law enforcement officer. Offenders are subject to imprisonment for up to 10 years. An offender could receive a life sentence if a death results from the offense, or the offense includes kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, or attempted murder.

The Justice for Fallen Law Enforcement Act would create a criminal penalty for the murder of a federal, state, and local enforcement officer of life imprisonment or the death penalty. In addition, it would create a criminal penalty for assault resulting in serious injury to a federal, state, and local law enforcement officer of 20 years in prison. Lastly, it would require a study after 36 months to report to House and Senate Judiciary Committees about prosecutions as the result of the act. 

The National Fraternal Order of Police reported that as of midnight of December 31, 2024 there were 342 officers shot in the line of duty in 2024. Of those officers shot, 50 of them were killed. In 2024, there were 61 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers. These ambush-style attacks resulted in 79 officers shot, 18 of whom were killed.

The Protect and Serve Act is endorsed by The National Fraternal Order of Police and The National Association of Police Organizations.  

Full text of the Protect and Serve Act is available HERE.

Full text of the Justice for Fallen Law Enforcement Act is available HERE.

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