WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Legislation by Arkansas' U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton would make the murder of a state or local law enforcement officer a federal crime punishable by life in prison or the death penalty.
Cotton, a Republican, introduced the Defending Our Defenders Act on Thursday. Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Calif., is introducing companion legislation in the House.
"Law enforcement officers dedicate their lives to defending the rule of law and protecting their fellow citizens. An attack on an officer is an attack on our democracy, and those criminals must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Cotton said.
Organizations endorsing the legislation include the National Association of Police Organizations, Major County Sheriffs of America, California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations, Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Los Angeles Police Protective League and Heritage Action for America.
Cotton's legislation is filed as S.868. Read the full text of the bill here.