Legislators Push for Stricter Punishments for Assaulting Law Enforcement Officers

Three Senate Republicans introduced legislation last week to strengthen and codify penalties against those who assault law enforcement officers.

Senators Thom Tillis, R-N.C., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., brought forward the bill that would “create a criminal penalty of the death penalty or life imprisonment for the murder of a federal, state, and local enforcement officer,” according to Tillis’ press release.  The “Justice for Fallen Law Enforcement Act would create a criminal penalty of 20 years in prison for assault resulting in serious injury to a federal, state, and local law enforcement officer,” the release continued. 

The legislation comes as both Tillis and Blackburn have recently endured the death of a law enforcement officer in their respective states. On December 30, 2023, Greensboro Police Sergeant Philip Nix was killed when he attempted to stop a crime in progress at a local gas station. 

“Law enforcement officers in North Carolina and across the country are heroes who risk their lives every day to protect our communities,” said 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 introduce this legislation that creates harsh 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.” 

On February 8^th, 2023, Deputy Sheriff Greg McCowan was killed during a traffic stop in Maryville, Tennessee. 

“Anyone who willfully injures or takes the life of a law enforcement officer should face severe consequences and the highest criminal penalties,” said Blackburn. ““Our brave men and women in blue put their own safety at risk in service to our communities, and we must do all that we can to ensure their perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I will always stand with our law enforcement officers.”

According to the National Fraternal Order of Police website, there were 378 officers shot in the line of duty in 2023, 46 of whom were killed.  Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police said in a statement, “Last year, over 330 police officers were shot in the line of duty. With the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and after so many Americans have seen the tragic consequences of the defund the police movement, it was our hope that these numbers would be a high-water mark. We were wrong.”