SARASOTA, FL — Prosecutors across the country may soon have an easier time seeking the death penalty for convicted cop killers in federal cases. The Thin Blue Line Act, sponsored by Florida's U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, cleared the House on Thursday by a vote of 271 to 143. The bill must now make it through the Senate before heading to President Donald Trump's desk.



"America's police officers and first responders are the first ones on scene to help those in harm's way," Buchanan said in a statement following Thursday's vote. "These brave men and women and their families put it all on the line and deserve our unwavering support. Getting this bill signed into law will protect those who serve our communities and send a clear message: targeting or killing our first responders will not be tolerated." Get the Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox.

The bill is intended to make the murder or attempted murder of a police officer, firefighter or first responder an "aggravating" factor in death penalty determinations. That essentially means it would be easier to seek the death penalty in these cases. The Thin Blue Line Act was originally introduced by former U.S. Rep. David Jolly, a Republican from Pinellas County, during the 114th Congress. Buchanan, a Republican from the Sarasota area, pointed out his praise for the former representative in announcing Thursday's vote outcome.

The Thin Blue Line Act has received support from several law enforcement agencies in the Tampa Bay area, including the Sarasota Police Department. "Every day, men and women in law enforcement choose to put their lives on the line to protect others while leaving family members at home to worry if their loved one will return safely," Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino said. "The Thin Blue Line Act will take a strong stand against violence to police officers and show criminals their actions will not be tolerated."

Opponents of the bill say it will expand the gap between law enforcement and the residents they serve at a time when tensions are already high. The bill prioritizes "divisive political pandering over meaningful reform," Todd A. Cox, an opinion contributor for The Hill, wrote in a May 16 piece.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, there were 144 line-of-duty deaths in 2016 across the United States. Of that number, 63 involved shootings, three were attributed to assaults and one to a stabbing incident. The numbers represent a 56 percent spike nationally in fatal shootings, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Buchanan noted in a previous statement. The number of ambush-style killings rose by 167 percent in 2016, he added, citing information from the National Association of Police Organizations.

The legislation is meant to cover all levels of first responders, at the local, state and federal level. The only requirement is that the homicide must involve federal jurisdiction. That means the murder must take place on federal land, during a joint task force operation or during other similar circumstances. Thursday's vote came in the wake of 50 law enforcement deaths in 2017 so far. Eighteen of those deaths involved shootings, including the highly publicized death of Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton.