U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Brandon) renewed his call for Congress to pass the Thin Blue Line Act during a press conference in Bradenton, Florida. The event honored more than 50 law enforcement officers from Florida’s 16th District for their service.
“I want to begin by thanking everyone for being here today, especially the brave men and women of law enforcement from Florida’s 16th District who are standing with me.
“This afternoon, we come together to recognize more than 50 of our region’s finest for their outstanding service and dedication to keeping our communities safe. These awards are not just about recognizing achievement; they’re about standing up for the heroes who put on the uniform, run toward danger and protect our communities every single day.
“However, this year’s ceremony comes at a time of growing danger for the men and women who wear the badge.
“Just days ago, Tampa Police Officer Jordan Laupert (LA-PERT) was hospitalized following a shooting in Hillsborough County. In Gainesville, officers were fired upon near the University of Florida campus. An NYPD officer was killed in the line of duty. An ICE agent was violently attacked. And three officers in Ohio were ambushed, targeted simply for doing their jobs.
“These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a deeply troubling surge of violence we are seeing across the country.
“That’s why I’m calling on Congress to pass my Thin Blue Line Act to ensure that those who target or murder a law enforcement officer face the full force of the law. This bill would make the murder or attempted murder of a law enforcement officer or first responder an aggravating factor in federal death penalty cases.
“We must send a clear message: If you target our heroes, you will face justice.
“The Thin Blue Line Act is backed by major law enforcement organizations across the country, from the National Fraternal Order of Police to the National Sheriffs’ Association and our own Sheriff Rick Wells here in Manatee County.
“Last year, 342 officers were shot in the line of duty. Fifty were killed. And Florida saw twice as many officers killed in the line of duty as the year before.
“Behind every one of those statistics is a name, a family, and a story of service. And far too often, a story of sacrifice.
“I’ll end with this: our law enforcement officers don’t just deserve our thanks—they deserve action. They deserve protection. And they deserve to know their elected officials have their back.
“We can never bring back the officers we’ve lost, but we can honor them by standing up for those still answering the call.
“Today, and every day, we back the blue.”
The Thin Blue Line Act proposes that killing or attempting to kill police officers or other first responders would be considered an “aggravating” factor when deciding federal death penalty cases.
Buchanan’s legislation has support from several national groups including the National Fraternal Order of Police and National Sheriffs’ Association as well as Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells.
Buchanan has represented Florida’s 16th district in Congress since 2007 after succeeding Katherine Harris (source). He previously served in Florida’s House of Representatives (source). Born in Detroit in 1951, Buchanan lives in Sarasota (source) and holds degrees from Cleary University and University of Detroit Mercy (source).
Earlier this year Buchanan co-authored an opinion piece with Sheriff Wells urging Congress to act on this legislation.
