Congressman Yakym condemns rash of violence against NW Indiana officers shot in the line of uty

Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM

On Tuesday, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) took to the House floor to address a rash of violence against law enforcement in Northwest Indiana, where three officers have been shot in the line of duty in the past two months.

“If you target our officers, you will face justice,” said Rep. Yakym. “For too long, we have seen the officers who protect us demonized while excuses are made for the career criminals who terrorize our communities. It’s dangerous, and as we’ve seen recently, it has tragic consequences.”

“I am grateful these three survived,” Rep. Yakym continued. “But survival is not safety, and three shootings in two months cannot be ignored or normalized. It must be a wake-up call. Law and order does not sustain itself. It is upheld by the men and women who put on a badge and are willing to risk everything for strangers. That is what separates a functioning society from a lawless one, and it is why I, and the thousands of Hoosiers I represent, back the blue, and always will.”

Background

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jon Samuelson was shot three times while helping a stranded driver on May 22, Indiana State Police Trooper Benjamin Beers was shot during a traffic stop on May 26, and Sergeant Justin Heflin was shot during a pursuit on July 10.

Watch full floor speech HERE.