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SCR125 • 2025

RECOGNIZING JANUARY 9, 2026, AS "LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

RECOGNIZING JANUARY 9, 2026, AS "LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Pettyjohn
Last action
2026-01-13
Official status
Passed 1/13/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how Delaware residents are encouraged to celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, beyond recognizing it as a day to honor and thank law enforcement officers.

Recognizing Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

A resolution designates January 9, 2026, as 'Law Enforcement Appreciation Day' to honor and thank law enforcement officers in Delaware.

What This Bill Does

  • Designates January 9, 2026, as 'Law Enforcement Appreciation Day'.
  • Recognizes the National Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) organization for supporting families and loved ones of fallen officers.
  • Encourages Delaware residents to thank law enforcement officers on this day.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Law enforcement officers in Delaware
  • Delaware residents

Terms To Know

National Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS)
An organization that supports the families and loved ones of fallen law enforcement officers.
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
A day designated to honor and thank law enforcement officers for their work and sacrifices.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This resolution does not require any financial funding or legal changes.
  • It is a symbolic gesture with no enforceable actions required of the public.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-13 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced in Senate

  2. 2026-01-13 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

  3. 2026-01-13 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed In House by Voice Vote

Official Summary Text

RECOGNIZING JANUARY 9, 2026, AS "LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes January 9, 2026, as "Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" in the State of Delaware.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Pettyjohn & Rep. Vanderwende

Sens. Buckson, Hansen, Hocker, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Mantzavinos, Poore, Richardson, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson; Reps. Berry, Bush, Carson, Collins, Cooke, Dukes, Gray, Griffith, Harris, Hensley, Hilovsky, K. Johnson, Jones Giltner, S. Moore, Morris, Osienski, Postles, Romer, Ross Levin, D. Short, Shupe, Kamela Smith, Michael Smith, Snyder-Hall, Spiegelman, K. Williams, Yearick

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 125

RECOGNIZING JANUARY 9, 2026, AS "LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the establishment of police forces, as we know them today, is a relatively modern development, evolving from early colonial practices of volunteer night watches and part-time, privately funded forces, such as those first organized in Boston in 1636, New York City in 1658, and Philadelphia in 1700; and

WHEREAS, New York City established one of the nation’s first municipal police forces in 1844 (it was officially organized in 1845), and Pennsylvania created the nation’s first modern state police force in 1905, following the recommendation of President Theodore Roosevelt to address labor unrest through professionalized public service; and

WHEREAS, the National Concerns of Police Survivors (“COPS”) organization was founded to provide emotional support to the families and loved ones of fallen officers and other members of law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the COPS organization coordinated the first National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD) in 2015 to honor the contributions and sacrifices of law enforcement officers nationwide; and

WHEREAS, LEAD is a day to recognize all members of law enforcement and to acknowledge their hard work, dedication, and the sacrifices they make daily, with a focus on police and similar state and local agencies; and

WHEREAS, COPS recommends several ways to celebrate the day, such as thanking a police officer, sharing a positive story about law enforcement, turning on a blue light outside one’s home, and reading a book about law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, LEAD is a day to recognize the dedication, hard work, and daily sacrifices of law enforcement officers who protect our communities and uphold public safety.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that January 9, 2026, is hereby recognized as “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives express their profound gratitude to the men and women of Delaware law enforcement who prioritize the safety of others, protect communities, and serve with courage and dedication.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Concurrent Resolution recognizes January 9, 2026, as "Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Pettyjohn