HARRISBURG –– Legislation to strengthen penalties for individuals who attempt to murder a law enforcement officer and cause serious bodily injury was passed by the Senate, according to Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-37), who supported the measure.
Senate Bill 1284 increases penalties for attempting, conspiring, or soliciting the murder of a law enforcement officer when serious bodily injury results, establishing a mandatory 20-year minimum sentence and allowing for a maximum penalty of up to life in prison. Under existing statutes, assaulting a law enforcement officer already carries a 20-year mandatory minimum sentence. Senate Bill 1284 aligns penalties for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer with that standard when serious bodily injury occurs.
“Too often, we are reminded of the dangers law enforcement officers face every time they put on the uniform,” said Robinson. “For me, this issue is deeply personal. My own brother, a Pittsburgh police officer, was injured in the line of duty. Our families live with the reality that these risks are not hypothetical. This legislation helps ensure that those who attempt to take an officer’s life and cause serious harm are held fully accountable.”
The 2024 shooting of Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin brought to light a gap in Pennsylvania law related to sentencing for crimes against law enforcement officers. Detective Gilmartin was shot in the head and survived. Although the criminals who attacked Detective Gilmartin were sentenced to decades in prison, the case revealed that under current law, the penalty for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer could be as little as seven years in prison.
The Senate also approved a resolution recognizing May 4, 2026, as Police Officers’ Memorial Day in Pennsylvania, honoring the brave men and women of law enforcement.
“As we also recognize Police Officers’ Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our communities and reaffirm our responsibility to stand behind the families they left behind,” said Robinson.
Senate Bill 1284 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.