Senator Coons, Tillis, introduce legislation to further protect law enforcement after targeted shootings of officers

Introduction follows killing of Corporal Matthew "Ty" Snook in Delaware last December

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), today introduced the Protect and Serve Act of 2026 to deter attacks on law enforcement officers by creating new federal charges against criminals who intentionally target them. The introduction comes in honor of law enforcement officers in Delaware and North Carolina who were killed in targeted attacks.

Senator Coons was inspired to introduce the Protect and Serve Act of 2026 following the tragic shooting of Corporal Grade One Matthew "Ty" Snook, who was killed in the line of duty on December 23, 2025, at a Wilmington Division of Motor Vehicles office. Corporal Snook was a father, husband, brother, and friend who died serving and protecting the people of Delaware.

"No law enforcement officer should have to fear for their lives just because they put on their badge before they go to work each day. Yet too many officers have been killed in targeted attacks designed specifically to take the lives of law enforcement, leaving a gaping tear in the hearts of spouses, parents, children, and communities," said Senator Coons. "I'm proud to introduce the Protect and Serve Act of 2026 because those who perpetrate crimes like this one should be punished to the fullest extent of the law."

"Law enforcement officers in North Carolina and across the country are heroes who risk their lives every day to protect our communities," said Senator Tillis. "Those who commit senseless acts of violence against law enforcement officers must be held accountable for their actions, which is why I am proud to lead the bipartisan Protect and Serve Act of 2026. Officers put their lives on the line to protect us, and we should do the work in Congress to protect them."

"Targeted violence towards a law enforcement officer is completely unacceptable and anyone who tries to hurt a cop because of their job should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," said Senator Cortez Masto. "Our police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities, and this bipartisan bill shows we have their backs."

"Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law," said Senator Crapo. "Those who deliberately target officers with the intent to kill must face severe consequences. The Protect and Serve Act would give federal prosecutors additional tools to hold these violent offenders accountable and reinforce our commitment to those who protect and serve."

"Our members are under fire by individuals motivated by nothing more than a desire to kill or injure a cop. Despite a decrease in the nation's homicide rate, firearms attacks on law enforcement officers have remained alarmingly high, underscoring a dangerous and persistent trend of deliberate attacks - too many of which are not spontaneous confrontations, but calculated assaults intended to inflict maximum harm on officers," said Patrick Yoes, national president of the Fraternal Order of Police. "We are deeply grateful to Senators Tillis and Coons, with whom we have been working to develop this 'Protect and Serve Act' to better protect our men and women in law enforcement. The bill they have introduced is a product of true collaboration and we sincerely appreciate their leadership and dedication. We look forward to working with them and with our other Senate allies to get this bill to a vote on the floor."

The Protect and Serve Act of 2026 will protect our servicemen and women who put their lives on the line each and every day. It establishes a new federal crime against those who kill or seriously injure law enforcement officers in targeted attacks meant to kill them solely because of their status as law enforcement officers. It has been revised from prior versions to focus federal prosecutors on the most heinous attacks designed to kill law enforcement.

The Protect and Serve Act of 2026 is endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police.

Read the full text of the bill here.