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Sgt. Steve Owen ‘Defending Our Defenders’ Act Introduced By Garcia

Congressman Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clarita) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced the bicameral Sgt. Steve Owen Defending Our Defenders Act on Friday to make the murder of a law enforcement officer a federal crime.

The Sgt. Steve Owen Defending Our Defenders Act would make the murder of a state or local law enforcement officer a federal crime punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty, if certain aggravating factors are met, according to Garcia’s office.

“The Defund the Police movement and soft-on-crime policies from the far-left have severely handicapped police officers’ ability to confront skyrocketing crime rates and have put these brave men and women in more danger than ever. We must do more to take care of our heroic law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. That’s why I’m proud to join Senator Tom Cotton in introducing this important bill,” Garcia said.

Sgt. Steve Owen was a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy who was shot and killed in an execution-style manner while responding to a burglary call in Lancaster in 2016.

The shooter, 31-year-old Trenton Trevor Lovell, shot Owen several times as he approached the location and continued shooting as he stood over the deputy’s collapsed body, according to officials. Lovell would be sentenced to life in prison in May 2022.

“I named this legislation in honor of a hero of the Antelope Valley, Sgt. Steve Owen, who was brutally murdered in 2016 while on duty,” Garcia said. “It is critical that we pass this legislation to ensure our law enforcement officers have the protection necessary to do their jobs effectively. The men and women who protect us every day deserve to know that we have their back.”

Senator Cotton released the following statement regarding the Senate version of this bill:

“Law enforcement officers dedicate their lives to defending the rule of law and protecting their fellow citizens. An attack on an officer is an attack on our democracy, and those criminals must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This bill will subject those who murder police to a punishment they deserve, life in prison or the death penalty.”

The Sgt. Steve Owen Defending Our Defenders Act is supported by the National Association of Police Organizations, the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the Major County Sheriffs of America, and the California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations. This bill is also supported by Heritage Action.

Click here to read the full text of this bill.


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Sgt. Steve Owen ‘Defending Our Defenders’ Act Introduced By Garcia

3 comments

  1. Isn’t any murder a federal crime?

  2. These violent creatures need to know, violent crime will not be tolerated anymore!! If they attack LE, what does anyone think they would do to helpless taxpayers!?

  3. Mike,
    Write this bill so it has “teeth”. No defense because the suspect was on drugs at the time. Put in a “drug enhancement clause” that says if the person is on drugs at the time of the crime then the execution is mandated to happen in six months. That will be the time frame for all evidence and appeals. It should also be made available on pay for view cable. If a death penalty is to be effective it has to be used often and quickly after the offense. We don’t need cop killers in our society.

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About Jade Aubuchon

A Santa Clarita native, Jade has spent her whole life involved in community outreach. After graduating from Learning Post High in 2015, she went on to College of the Canyons to pursue a double major in English and Marketing. Jade spent several years as a ballroom dance performer for a local studio and has performed at public and private events throughout Santa Clarita. As KHTS Co-News Director Jade oversees the KHTS news team, which covers all the latest news impacting Santa Clarita. Along with covering and writing her own news stories, Jade can be heard broadcasting the daily local news every weekday morning and afternoon drive-time twice an hour on KHTS 98.1FM and AM-1220. Jade is also instrumental in reporting on-the-scene local emergencies, covering them on-air and via Facebook Live and YouTube. Another dimension to Jade’s on-air skills and writing are her regular political and celebrity interviews, including her bi-monthly interview with our Congressman Mike Garcia and many other local politicians and community leaders.