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 jurisdictions have increased the difficulty and added significant 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 country; 

Whereas these policies have encouraged the public to aggressively and violently engage with law enforcement; 

Whereas law enforcement officers answer every service call, 

regardless of community support or ridicule; 
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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 enforcement officers killed in the line of duty inscribed on the 

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, 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 behind 2 children; and 

Whereas current data does not show how many law enforcement officers are assaulted, injured, or disabled in the 

line of duty each year: Now, therefore, be it 
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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 environment in which they often must work; 

(6) acknowledges the need to strengthen its relationship with law enforcement to ensure policy decisions 

are aligned with the realities law enforcement officers 

face daily; and 
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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.