February 21, 2006

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

On February 8, 2006, Representative Jon Porter (R-NV) introduced legislation that will strengthen the penalties for individuals who kill or attempt to kill a public safety officer while that officer is performing official duties.

The “Sergeant Henry Prendes Memorial Act of 2006,” H.R. 4732, amends Chapter 51 of title 18, United States Code, to punish those offenders by a fine under this title and imprisonment for no less than 30 years to life, with the death penalty being an option if the officer’s death is a result of the assault.

Sergeant Henry Prendes of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was shot and killed while responding to a routine domestic dispute call. When the officers arrived, the suspect immediately opened fire, killing Sgt. Prendes and injuring another officer. The suspect was shot and killed by police.

Under current law, it is a crime to kill federal law enforcement officers and peace officers engaged in a federal crime investigation. This legislation will add to the current law by creating new maximum penalties, including the federal death penalty, for assaulting or killing federally-funded state and local law enforcement officers. By helping to ensure that murderers, like the man who killed Sgt. Prendez, and would-be killers receive the strongest possible sentences, H.R. 4732 recognizes the importance of protecting those who so courageously serve our communities.

NAPO has been working with Congress for a long time to improve the current law by developing harsher penalties for those who murder or attempt to murder law enforcement officers. We whole-heartedly support Congressman Porter in his efforts to protect the lives of this nation’s public safety officers. NAPO will continue working to ensure that Congress recognizes the importance of such legislation to the law enforcement community, and in that recognition, urges passage of the “Sergeant Henry Prendes Memorial Act of 2006.”