In a recent development, Ohio’s freshman GOP Senator Bernie Moreno has put forth a proposal aimed at increasing criminal penalties for offenses against law enforcement officers. This comes in the wake of the tragic death of Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson, who was killed earlier this month during traffic duty in Cincinnati.
The legislation, known as the Larry Henderson Act, is designed to amend current laws that penalize individuals who attack or resist police officers during their official duties. Moreno’s bill seeks to elevate the mandatory minimum sentence for these crimes from one to eight years, all the way up to 20 years, depending on the severity of the offense.
Additionally, the act intends to establish exclusive federal jurisdiction over these crimes, preempting local authorities in such matters. Moreno emphasized the importance of the law, stating, “Adequate is enough,” and underlined that anyone who harms law enforcement should face significant repercussions. He added that this measure is introduced in honor of Henderson to ensure the protection of officers.
Henderson was killed while directing traffic at a graduation ceremony near the University of Cincinnati when a vehicle struck him. The alleged assailant, Rodney Hinton, is facing charges for his actions and is linked to an incident where his son was shot by an officer after reportedly fleeing in a stolen car.
In remarks from the President of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, Jay McDonald, he condemned Hinton’s actions, describing them as a deliberate act against a law enforcement officer, particularly one who had dedicated so much of his career to serving the public.
Henderson, who had a 33-year career with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, had been a part of various specialized units and was recognized for his training abilities, having educated countless deputies throughout his service. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffy praised his contributions and acknowledged his expertise as a trainer.
