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CINCINNATI, OH [7/14/25] – Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) leaders from across Ohio didn’t need to go to DC this week to advocate for the Protect and Serve Act; DC came to them.
The Ohio FOP, with over 23,000 members, met in Cincinnati Monday, opening their state convention with words of welcome from Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge and Sharonville Mayor Kevin Hardman.
State leaders and delegates also heard from United States Senators Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted. Each is a co-sponsor of the Protect and Serve Act, which addresses ambush attacks and other assaults on police by creating a category of federal crimes and adding enhanced penalties.
The bill was overwhelmingly passed in the U.S. House in 2018 and has been reintroduced in each subsequent session. It is the number one federal priority for Ohio police.
“We’re proud to have the support of U.S. Senators Moreno and Husted, but sponsoring the bill just isn’t enough at this point,” Ohio FOP President Jay McDonald said. “This needs to get over the finish line, and sadly, the bill’s long record proves that talk is cheap.”
McDonald pointed out that, inexplicably, there are Ohio members of the U.S. House who aren’t co-sponsors.
“Ohio played a fundamental role in the passage of social security reform last session through our members and our congressional delegation,” McDonald said. “We anticipate playing another outsized role and need our elected officials to get behind this common-sense bill.”
The convention also opened with a memorial service honoring fallen officers over the last year. The ceremony involved a reading of the names and adding flowers to a wreath in their honor.
“One flower is too many,” McDonald said. “I hope to be president where the FOP doesn’t need to open its convention with a memorial service because every officer safely made it home.”
The conference continues this week with FOP and labor council business.
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