Sheriffs Applaud and Welcome Activation of National Blue Alert System

(Alexandria, VA) – The National Sheriffs’ Association lauds today’s activation of the National Blue Alert System and hopes that it will curb the dangerous tide of deadly assaults on our nation’s law enforcement officers.

"Last year, America saw more law enforcement officers and deputy sheriffs killed by ambush shootings than any time in the last 20 years. These brave men and women were serving their community with honor and commitment when they were hunted down. This is a national crisis that deserves a nationwide program like the National Blue Alert Network,” said Jonathan Thompson, CEO of the National Sheriffs’ Association

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) introduced the National Blue Alert Act on January 4, 2013. It passed the House on May 15, 2013 in a Roll Call Vote of 406-2. President Obama signed the bill into law May 19, 2015.

The Act directs the United States Attorney General to establish a national Blue Alert communications network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disseminate information when a law enforcement officer is seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. Today we are witnessing the implementation of this network.

This new National Blue Alert system will coordinate with federal, state, and local Blue Alert plans, and is being unveiled today with the hope that more lives of the men and women who serve in the line of duty can be saved.

NSA Executive Director Jonathan Thompson, standing center behind Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

For more information about the National Blue Alert System, visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/bluealert. [Fact Sheet] [FAQs]