Dear Representative Latta,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to request that you cosponsor H.R. 1551, the “Protect and Serve Act,” which was drafted in direct response to the pervasive attacks on law enforcement by those whose only seeming motivation is to harm or kill a law enforcement officer.
Two officers with the Lorain Police Department, Officers Philip Wagner and Peter Gale, were parked side by side on a dead-end road sharing lunch. The shooter, armed with a “high-powered” rifle, opened fire, wounding Officer Gale and fatally injuring Officer Wagner. Officer Brent Payne arrived at the scene of this ambush and was also seriously wounded by the shooter, who was ultimately killed by returning gunfire. His motives are unclear, but he was described as “lying in wait” with a significant arsenal of firearms and improvised explosive devices.
The “Protect and Serve Act” is a priority for the FOP and is a direct response to the attacks on law enforcement officers by imposing, in limited circumstances, Federal penalties on individuals who deliberately target local, State or Federal law enforcement officers with violence. So far this year, 198 officers have been shot in the line of duty. Of those officers, 26 were killed. There have been 45 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers this year which resulted in 56 officers shot, 12 of whom were killed.
The FOP has asked the Committee on the Judiciary to take up and pass this legislation, but we have encountered opposition from the majority and the bill has not been scheduled for mark-up or even a hearing. You voted in favor of this bill in committee and on the House floor in May 2018. We believe it is past time for the House to pass the “Protect and Serve Act,” and we are asking you to support our efforts once again. Our men and women who wear the badge need our help now, especially in the wake of this tragedy.
On behalf of the more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, thank you for considering our request. If I can provide any additional information or support for this effort, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington, D.C. office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President