Manatee Review

Congressman Vern Buchanan announced today that several of the nation's leading law enforcement organizations have endorsed his legislation to toughen penalties against those who harm police officers. Buchanan’s Thin Blue Line Act, which previously passed the House with bipartisan support, would make the murder or attempted murder of a police officer or other first responders an “aggravating” factor in death penalty determinations.

“Police officers and other first responders risk their lives every day protecting our communities,” said Congressman Buchanan. “It’s long past time to pass my bill and make clear to criminals that if you target an officer or first responder, there will be severe consequences.”

According to the Fraternal Order of Police, 145 officers have been shot in the line of duty in 2024, with 20 fatalities. Additionally, there have been 27 ambush-style attacks which injured 35 law enforcement officers and killed six.

The Thin Blue Line Act would apply whether the law enforcement officer or first responder is murdered on duty, because of their performance of duty or because of their status as a public official. It covers federal, state and local police officers, firefighters and first responders. The only requirement is that the homicide involve federal jurisdiction.

Last year in Hillsborough County, two Sheriff’s deputies were critically injured after being hit by a driver with his car.

Buchanan’s Thin Blue Line Act has received endorsements from organizations such as the National Fraternal Order of Police (NFOP), the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Sheriffs Association and the United States Deputy Sheriff Association.

Patrick Yoes, National President for the Fraternal Order of Police said: “Law enforcement officers have always faced threats while on duty... This legislation would provide that the murder of local or State prosecutor, law enforcement officer, or other public safety officers also be considered an ‘aggravating’ factor in a federal case, and we are grateful to Representative Buchanan for taking the lead on this issue.”

In endorsing the legislation, William J. Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations called Buchanan’s bill, “critical, as law enforcement officer assaults, particularly ambush assaults, have increased sharply in recent years… NAPO strongly believes that increased penalties make important differences in the attitudes of criminals toward public safety officers, and ensure protection for the community.”

The National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. has 24,067 names engraved to honor our nation’s brave law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Last year, Buchanan presented 54 awards to law enforcement officers and departments in Manatee and Hillsborough Counties for exceptional achievement. The winners of Buchanan’s Congressional District Law Enforcement Awards were selected by an independent panel of current and retired law enforcement.