H. Res. 1213
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,
May 17, 2024.
Whereas, beginning in 2020, and in conjunction with the
‘‘defund the police’’ movement, respect for the rule of law
and law enforcement officials diminished;
Whereas this change in attitude has resulted in record death
and injury to America’s law enforcement officers at the
Federal, State, local, and Tribal level;
Whereas policies implemented at several State and local juris-
dictions have increased the difficulty and added signifi-
cant risks for law enforcement to do their jobs effectively
and safely;
Whereas law enforcement is demanded to handle societal
problems, including a nationwide mental health crisis,
record-setting overdose poisonings due to fentanyl, and
an increase in the homeless population;
Whereas the lack of accountability for violent criminals with
decreased penalties and no-bail policies has opened the
door for record criminal activity in cities across the coun-
try;
Whereas these policies have encouraged the public to aggres-
sively and violently engage with law enforcement;
Whereas law enforcement officers answer every service call,
regardless of community support or ridicule; 2
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Whereas law enforcement officers answer every service call,
regardless of the threat to their lives;
Whereas there are currently 23,785 names of law enforce-
ment officers killed in the line of duty inscribed on the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Wash-
ington, DC;
Whereas the deadliest year on record for law enforcement
was 2021, when 586 law enforcement officers were killed
in the line of duty;
Whereas, in 2022, 224 law enforcement officers were killed
in the line of duty;
Whereas, in 2023, 137 law enforcement officers were killed
in the line of duty;
Whereas 378 law enforcement officers were shot in the line
of duty in 2023, the highest year on record, of which 115
were violent ambush attacks;
Whereas the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Fund anticipates adding at least 151 names to the sacred
walls in the spring of 2024, representing the current and
historical deaths which, to date, have been approved as
line-of-duty deaths;
Whereas the average fallen law enforcement officer is 45
years old;
Whereas the average fallen law enforcement officer has 15
years of service;
Whereas the average fallen law enforcement officer leaves be-
hind 2 children; and
Whereas current data does not show how many law enforce-
ment officers are assaulted, injured, or disabled in the
line of duty each year: Now, therefore, be it 3
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Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) condemns calls to defund the police, which has
increased violence towards law enforcement officers;
(2) recognizes that law enforcement officers must
have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to
protect the health and safety of the public as well as
their fellow law enforcement officers on the job;
(3) recognizes the need for better data collection on
law enforcement officers who are assaulted, injured, or
disabled in the line of duty;
(4) acknowledges its responsibility for exemplifying
a respect for the rule of law and for the law enforcement
officers who protect communities across the Nation;
(5) acknowledges the mental stress and strain law
enforcement officers suffer not only due to the pressures
and realities of the job, but also the negative environ-
ment in which they often must work;
(6) acknowledges the need to strengthen its rela-
tionship with law enforcement to ensure policy decisions
are aligned with the realities law enforcement officers
face daily; and 4
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(7) expresses condolences and solemn appreciation
to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who
has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Attest:
Clerk.