Sens. Baker, Brown Highlight Legislation to Strengthen Penalties for Attempted Murder of Law Enforcement Officers

HARRISBURG -- Sens. Lisa Baker (R-20) and Rosemary Brown (R-40) were joined today by law enforcement leaders and prosecutors at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to highlight legislation to strengthen penalties for individuals who attempt to murder a law enforcement officer and cause serious bodily injury.

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 - a fact that prompted Baker and Brown to introduce Senate Bill 1284, Detective Kyle Gilmartin's Law, which was approved today by the Senate 41-8.

"While we know the possible dangers our police face every day, we do not walk in their shoes and cannot imagine the difficult situations they face when protecting our communities and our families. Individuals who consciously take an act with the intention of ending an officer's life must be held accountable for their horrific actions," said Baker. "This legislation sends a clear message to would-be criminals. Anyone who attempts to take the life of a law enforcement officer must face penalties that reflect the severity of that crime. I'm proud to stand with the law enforcement community in our quest to right a wrong and to secure justice for their brothers and sisters in blue."

"This critical legislation closes a gap in sentencing and ensures that those who attempt to take an officer's life are held fully accountable," said Brown. "I am grateful for the service and sacrifice of the officers across our commonwealth who face danger each day, and as lawmakers, we must always work to support them. I urge the House to take up this important 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 20-year mandatory 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.

"On behalf of law enforcement in Lackawanna County, we strongly support Senate Bill 1284. This bill should not be viewed or deliberated through a partisan lens, but through one of common sense and public safety," said Lackawanna District Attorney Brian Gallagher. "When someone attempts to murder a police officer and leaves that officer with life-changing injuries, a 20-year mandatory sentence is just. Law enforcement officers answer the call each day knowing they may never come home the same or at all. The least we can do is ensure our laws reflect the sacrifice they make and the profound harm caused by those who seek to take that from them."

Joseph Regan, president of the Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, and Stephen Polishan, president of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, said they are grateful to see the dangerous loophole nearly closed:

"On behalf of the members of law enforcement and their families across Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association thank the Senate under the leadership of Sens. Lisa Baker and Rosemary Brown for the passage of Senate Bill 1284. For too long, a dangerous gap in Pennsylvania law allowed individuals who committed heinous acts against officers sworn to protect and serve to face lesser consequences simply because the officer survived. An act this heinous is not only an insult to our officers, but to the communities they serve. Closing this loophole ensures that those convicted of attempting to kill a law enforcement officer are held fully accountable and imprisoned accordingly."

Senate Bill 1284 also received support from all the district attorneys throughout the 20th Senatorial District, including Sam Sanguedolce of Luzerne County, Marion O'Malley of Susquehanna County, Joe Peters of Wyoming County, A.G. Howell of Wayne County and Ray Tonkin of Pike County.

"We would like to thank Sens. Lisa Baker and Rosemary Brown for taking legislative action. Considering the sacrifices that are made by our law enforcement officers and their families each day, this sentencing loophole was unacceptable. The attempted murder of a police officer is an atrocious and hateful act, and our laws must reflect the severity of that crime," the district attorneys said.

The measure was passed on Police Officers' Memorial Day in Pennsylvania, which honors the brave men and women of law enforcement.

Senate Bill 1284 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Full video of today's press conference.
Video of Sen. Baker's remarks.
Video of Sen. Brown's remarks.