Reps. Troy E. Nehls and Jimmy Panetta Introduce the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act

Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), and 27 Members of Congress introduced the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act in honor of National Police Week. This bipartisan legislation would establish a formal program within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to support and enhance community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF or “the Fund”), including programs to memorialize and honor law enforcement, compile data on law enforcement fatalities and injuries, increase public understanding of and support for law enforcement, enhance and improve law enforcement officer safety and wellness, and programs to bring law enforcement closer to the communities they serve. 

Created by Congress in 1984, NLEOMF’s purpose is to honor the role of law enforcement in service to society, by recognizing the sacrifices and valor of law enforcement, educating the community, and making it safer for those who serve. The NLEOMF includes both the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the National Law Enforcement Museum.

“Attacks on our law enforcement officers are at an all-time high,” said Congressman Nehls. “As someone who served in law enforcement for nearly 30 years, I know firsthand the sacrifices police officers make to uphold law and order in our society. Now, more than ever, we must pay tribute and honor our courageous law enforcement officials who are the watchful guardians of our homes and neighborhoods. I am glad to be joined by my colleague, Congressman Panetta, to support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and bring public awareness to our brave law enforcement officers. I will always back the blue.” 

“Our law enforcement officers are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our community and uphold public safety,” said Congressman Panetta. “With the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act we honor the bravery and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty by memorializing their lives, commemorating their service, and bringing the public and law enforcement closer together.  It’s appropriate to introduce this legislation during National Police Week, however, every day we must continue to recognize the service of our law enforcement officers and always remember the officers who fell serving and striving to make our streets safer.”  

“I would like to celebrate and recognize the important work that our brave law enforcement officers do every day,” said Congressman Hunt. “Their commitment to upholding the law, ensuring public safety, and responding to crises with professionalism and courage are qualities that make them true heroes. The law enforcement community faces difficult and even life-threatening situations on a daily basis. Despite this, they continue to lead with bravery, integrity, and compassion. On National Police Week, I’m honored to serve as a co-sponsor on Congressman Nehls’ National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act.”

“Every day, our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities. Our heroes in blue and the sacrifices that they and their families make deserve to be honored,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “As we celebrate National Police Week, I am proud to join Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and all my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan effort to support the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. We can and must continue to commemorate the service of our police officers and improve law enforcement safety and wellbeing. Anything less than our complete appreciation for those first to arrive and the last to leave any emergency in our communities is not enough.”

“As a former police officer for 23 years, I understand the sacrifices made every single day by those who wear the uniform to serve and protect their communities,” said Congressman Stauber. “I am proud to co-sponsor the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act to honor my brothers and sisters in blue and brown who have fallen in the line of duty, and to help better educate the public on the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers.”

“The National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act not only honors our fallen heroes but facilitates community outreach, enhances public education, and promotes officer safety,” said Congressman Gooden.

“We must never forget the sacrifices of our law enforcement officers,” said Congressman Bacon. “I support the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act so that families have a way to remember their loved ones, and our communities know their names, stories, and service. When our districts have positive relationships with police, we have safer cities and neighborhoods for all.”

“I am committed to ensuring our law enforcement officers have the best tools, training, and support possible, and I’m thankful to Congressman Nehls for leading on this important issue,” said Congressman Carl. “The men and women in law enforcement all across this country play a critical role in protecting our families and keeping us all safe, and we owe them our gratitude.”

“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and in return, we need to ensure they and their families are supported,” said Congresswoman Angie Craig. “I’m working to pass this bipartisan legislation because we owe it to our current officers and those lost in the line of duty to honor their service,”

This bill has the support of NLEOMF’s board member organizations, including COPS, DuPont, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, International Union of Police Associations/AFL-CIO, Motorola Solutions, National Association of Police Organizations, National Black Police Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Policing Institute, National Sheriffs’ Association, National Troopers Coalition, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Unity Tour, United Federation of Police Officers, and Verizon.

“Everyone at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and National Law Enforcement Museum are so appreciative of the strong leadership being shown by Congressman Nehls and Congressman Panetta in moving this important bi-partisan bill forward,” said Marcia Ferranto, the chief executive officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.Now — more than ever — Congress needs to do all it possibly can to support the law enforcement community. The education, community outreach and engagement, and officer safety and wellness programs we administer save lives and bring law enforcement closer to the communities they serve. This bi-partisan bill will not only ensure that these programs continue, but that they are expanded with a truly national reach and impact. This bill will also ensure that limited federal resources are invested in proven programs that will save police lives, make communities safer and strengthen law enforcement.”

This legislation would be fully paid for by taking $6 million a year from the “Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative,” which Congress funded at $50 million in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022.

Original co-sponsors of this legislation include Representatives Wesley Hunt (R-TX-38), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Linda Sanchez (D-CA-38), Tom Tiffany (R-WI-07), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Pete Stauber (R-MN-08), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03), Dan Kildee (D-MI-08), Lauren Boebert (R-CO-03), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Don Davis (D-NC-01), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), John “Judge” Carter (R-TX-31), Lance Gooden (R-TX-05), Chris Stewart (R-UT-02), Jerry Carl (R-AL-01), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Jim Banks (R-IN-03), Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), and Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA-14).