OPINION:
As law enforcement officers for more than 40 years, including 12 years as sheriff of Jacksonville, Florida, and eight years as sheriff of Jackson County, Mississippi, we have dedicated our lives to protecting and serving our communities alongside our finest men and women. Now, it is our job to protect and serve them in Congress.
Anyone who has put on a badge and answered the call of duty knows the dangers that may await. Sadly, that is the reality officers and their families accept each time they put their lives in harm’s way to save others.
It has always been a dangerous occupation, but the anti-police hate being spread across America and the significant budget decreases spearheaded by Democrats have made law enforcement officers’ jobs even harder and more dangerous than ever before.
So far this year, 12 law enforcement officers nationwide have died in the line of duty. Last year brought a 25% increase in officer deaths in the line of duty, resulting in 148 nationwide.
In 2024, firearms-related fatalities claimed the lives of 52 officers, a 13% increase from the 46 officers killed by gunfire in 2023. Ambush-style attacks resulted in 79 officers being shot; 18 of them lost their lives to injuries sustained. Traffic-related fatalities rose 48%, with 46 deaths. Florida reported the fifth-highest number of officer deaths, with eight law enforcement officers lost.
The increase in violence against our law enforcement officers should raise alarms for every American.
On Feb. 21, two Virginia Beach Police Department officers were fatally shot after conducting a routine traffic stop. Officers Cameron Girvin, 25, and Christopher Reese, 30, attempted to stop a car with expired plates. Once the driver stopped the car, they approached the vehicle and told the driver to exit. A tussle ensued between the officers and the driver, resulting in the driver pulling a pistol on the officers and shooting each multiple times.
Officer Girvin, who had served with the Virginia Beach Police Department since 2020, was expecting a baby girl with his high school sweetheart this summer. Officer Reese joined the force in 2022 after serving with the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office since 2019. He leaves behind his wife and loving family.
These two heroes went to work and never came back. Their futures were unjustly cut short. Our hearts break for their loved ones.
On a Sunday night in February, Mississippi’s Hinds County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. Martin Shields Jr., 37, was fatally shot after responding to a domestic call. He is the son of a former law enforcement officer and leaves behind a wife and 12-year-old daughter.
These are stories of just three law enforcement officers whose lives have been recklessly taken so far this year. It should concern every single American that more officers will die doing their jobs in the coming months.
This needless loss of life must end.
As anyone who has worked in law enforcement knows, losing a loved one in the line of duty changes you forever. We understand what officers go through every day as they put on their uniforms and say goodbye to their families.
We know what officers go through after losing a partner, colleague and friend.
As we observe National Police Week, we must pass substantial bills in Congress that support our law enforcement with the tools needed to keep officers safe in the line of duty, arrest dangerous criminals, aid in deporting illegal immigrants and increase retention and recruitment. When law enforcement officers’ lives are threatened, so are our communities.
One police officer killed in the line of duty is one too many.
House Republicans must do everything we can to protect those who protect us. Anything less than that is not good enough for those putting their lives on the line every day.
Let’s send a clear message to dangerous criminals that if you target law enforcement officers, Congress will target you.
• Rep. John H. Rutherford is a Republican representing Florida’s 5th Congressional District. Rep. Mike Ezell is a Republican representing Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District.
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