Legislation Document

SPONSOR:	Sen. Lawson & Sen. Richardson & Rep. Smyk
Sens. Bonini, Brown, Ennis, Gay, Hansen, Hocker, Lockman, Lopez, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Poore, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 41

RECOGNIZING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLED AND INJURED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

WHEREAS, the men and women of law enforcement risk their lives every day; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement officers protect the American people from criminals who seek to perpetrate violence and harm innocent lives; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement officers willingly face dangerous circumstances and the threat of serious bodily injury or death on a daily basis to ensure the safety of all Americans; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, there are more than 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States; and

WHEREAS, since the first recorded police death in 1786, there have been more than 22,000 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, a total of 1,627 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty during the past 10 years, an average of 163 per year or one death every 54 hours; and

WHEREAS, there were 135 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2019; and

WHEREAS, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report 2019 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, there were 56,034 assaults against law enforcement officers in 2019, resulting in 17,188 injuries; and

WHEREAS, assault related offenses committed in Delaware against law enforcement officers were up 16% from 2015, with 2019 (448) being the highest in a five year period; and

WHEREAS, 49 law enforcement officers have been killed or died in the line of duty in Delaware since 1852.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the 151 ^st General Assembly of the State of the Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, recognizes the sacrifice of law enforcement officers killed and injured in the line of duty.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly denounces violence against law enforcement officers in all forms.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly expresses its gratitude for the service of the members of law enforcement to protect and uphold the law.