By SEN. TODD YOUNG
Guest Columnist
Most Hoosiers wake up every morning and see their children off to school or head to work without event. They live in safety because a select few of their fellow citizens willingly forfeit their own.
May 10 to 16 is National Police Week, and it is a useful reminder of what we owe our Indiana law enforcement officers and what more we can do for them.
Our police officers are the thin blue line between order and chaos. The men and women who wear the badge are the guardians of peace who willingly stand in the way of threats to their communities. Whether our cars break down or our homes are invaded, when trouble comes, our law enforcement officers are not far behind.
Too often we appreciate them only when we need them. And just as commonly, we overlook the grave danger they willingly face on our behalf.
The hero’s badge is a criminal’s target. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which carries the names of 24,000 police officers killed in the line of duty, reminds us of this sobering reality.
Every year additional names are added to these rolls. Around 100 police officers die on the job annually, the majority as a result of violent and other serious crimes.
In 2024, 85,730 police officers were assaulted in the line of duty. Many of these incidents were ambush attacks, when criminals target police officers unexpectedly. According to the National Fraternal Order of Police, such incidents accounted for nearly 30 percent of officer shootings last year.
These terrible sacrifices are why, since 1962, Americans have honored law enforcement personnel during the second week of May. National Police Week is an occasion to renew our unwavering support for law enforcement officers.
It’s an opportunity to recognize and give thanks for their unseen acts of heroism, honor and remember those who have laid down their lives to protect others, and express our solemn appreciation to the loved ones of officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Remembrance is important. So is gratitude. But these alone are not enough. Our police officers defend us, and we, in turn, can deter and punish those who would do them harm.
In the Senate, I am supporting the Protect and Serve Act, introduced by Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). This bill would create a new category of crime for those who attack federal, state, or local law enforcement officers. It would give federal prosecutors more tools to go after those who deliberately target law enforcement officers by making it a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, bodily injury to a law enforcement officer.
Under the bill, offenders would be subject to imprisonment for up to 10 years. An offender could receive a life sentence if a death results from the offense, or the offense includes kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, or attempted murder.
This legislation is a common-sense step at the federal level to better protect those who protect us, and Congress should pass it into law.
Whether they serve on the local, state, or federal level, our law enforcement officers are the best and the bravest. Laws mean little without men and women sworn to uphold them.
During National Police Week, let’s reflect on how much we owe them and show our support for the men and women wearing the badge across Indiana.
Todd Young, a Republican, represents Indiana in the United States Senate.
Fantastic work!!! Protect & Serve Act. Yes Yes Yes!!!!
Indiana police do an amazing job and deserve uncorrupted courts to enforce law and order.
Arrest the people on the epstien list
I agree 100%! My former neighbor Greg Ferency was shot and killed here in Terre Haute 5 years ago by a man who was a former Federal correctional officer. For whatever reason the man who murdered him passed judgment and committed a terrible act that local and Federal law enforcement, the community, his children and all family, have suffered great loss due to this sick man. This happened in front of the local FBI office where officer Ference worked with Federal law enforcement as well as local.We need compassion not judgement for our police and each other IMO. Another Terre Haute police officer was murdered in 2018. Again, terrible loss for family, friends,and the community. I didn’t know officer Pitts personally but do remember when I heard the news of his passing how sad and sick everyone was. These murderers, again, IMO, should receive severe and maximum penalties for killing police officers, and additional punishment for targeting them. This happens in so many places in our country that the tragedy,loss,and pain that it causes it seems obvious that Federal law should, and hopefully will be, passed and written into law.The defund police and other movements that have endangered the same men and women who defend those out of a sense of duty and honor that are putting law enforcement at higher risk should be put in check. Being a baby boomer I have seen the horrible decline the United States has been subject to for decades and believe we are still a sovereign nation blessed by our Creator God and with following Jesus we can stay strong and productive in His sight. God bless you Senator Young, and your family,and colleagues!
Thank you Senator Young for supporting the Protect and Serve Act! I agree that penalties for deliberately attacking law enforcement officers need to be enhanced!
I commend the police officers. I thank they do a great job. I do pray for them. Keep up the good work. Thank you for all that you do!!!
To all police everywhere: Thank you for what you do everyday to keep us safe. Many years ago my brother-in-law (a Chicago cop) was shot and killed in the line of duty. He left a wife and 3 children, one of whom was a baby, she never got to know her awesome father.
PLEASE be careful out there
Thank you for supporting the Protect and Save Act. And thanks to all the officers.
For sure our police deserve to be appreciated as peacekeepers.
And we know that peacekeeping is enhanced by relationships of trust in our neighborhoods. Sadly, though,in Indiana our politicians have mitigated that effort at building trust, by mandating them to be attached to the Federal anti-immigrant vendetta. Thus suddenly, even our faithful peacekeepers are being distrusted, effectively aligning them with unidentified, masked secret force doing the President’s bidding. Sad.