Strong Leads Bipartisan Effort to Support Veterans, Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Representatives Dale W. Strong (R-AL), Lou Correa (D-CA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), and Glenn Ivey (D-MD) introduced the Supporting Every at-Risk Veteran In Critical Emergencies (SERVICE) Act.  Nine additional Members joined as original cosponsors of the bill.

The SERVICE Act would establish a pilot program to allow local law enforcement agencies to use the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants to establish dedicated “Veterans Response Teams” within departments to respond to emergency calls involving veterans in crisis.  

A Veterans Response Team is a team of law enforcement officers who also have a background in military service. Members of the team would be available 24/7 to respond to instances of a veteran in crisis, including mental health or substance abuse situations. Following the initial response, members of the team would assist in connecting the individual with community and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources.  

“The SERVICE Act is a crucial step toward ensuring our veterans get the care and understanding they deserve in times of crisis,” said Rep. Dale Strong. “We owe our servicemembers a debt that cannot be repaid, and it is my honor to introduce this legislation and work toward providing our veterans with the compassionate and effective resources they need. This legislation honors their service by meeting them with support, not stigma.”

“When our nation’s veterans return home, we owe it to them to make sure they're met with the support they deserve and have earned—and we must keep our moral commitment to them,” said Rep. Lou Correa. “Many of our veterans return home with invisible wounds and respond better to their fellow veterans in times of need. This common-sense, bipartisan legislation is key to fulfilling our promise to those who’ve offered their lives for our freedom—and will save countless lives along the way.”

“Research shows that when a veteran is in crisis, they are most receptive to help and support provided by fellow veterans. Nearly 20% of our U.S. law enforcement has served in the military, and they are undoubtedly the most well-equipped to respond to other veterans in need,” said Rep. Maria Salazar. “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms, and we owe them the best care possible when they return from their service. I am proud to co-lead the SERVICE Act to provide support to our brave men and women in uniform.”     

“Veterans have served us in our nation’s time of need. Now we must keep this sacred covenant to serve our veterans in their darkest hour. The SERVICE Act will help them get mental health services and prevent suicides. Service men and women who now face PTSD, psycho-social trauma, and physical symptoms of being in war zones across our world must get treatment for what ails them," said Rep. Glenn Ivey. "My father and father-in-law both served in the military, so I know what it means to be a part of a military family. They deserve the respect and dignity of getting the care they rightly earned. I co-lead this bill because this is about doing what’s best for veterans in crisis and helping our law enforcement personnel assist in this effort."  

This program was first implemented in Cincinnati, Ohio, and now serves as the blueprint for the state. Sergeant Dave Corlett (Ret.), a veteran himself, established the program and maintains that having a fellow veteran respond to these calls is more effective in de-escalating and ensuring that veterans are aware of the resources available to them.  

“I couldn't be more thrilled than to hear about the reintroduction of the SERVICE Act. As a military veteran and 30-year first responder, I have seen the effects of trauma on our warfighters. We all want to reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health issues and reduce the number of military and first responder suicides. This program has proven itself in the real world to be a great step in that direction,” said Dave Corlett.

The SERVICE Act has been endorsed by the American Legion, Hope for the Warriors, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Policing Institute, Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association, and the CJ3 Foundation.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) strongly supports this legislation, saying, in part: “The SERVICE Act will provide veterans in law enforcement with tools and training to help our fellow veterans and the law enforcement community to better deal with veterans in crisis,” said Jack McManus, National Vietnam Veterans of America President. “The SERVICE Act presents an opportunity to improve community relations while saving the lives of our nation’s veterans.”

“At HOPE for the Warriors, we stand firmly behind the SERVICE Act as a critical lifeline for veterans in crisis,” said Robin Kelleher, Hope for the Warriors CEO. “By empowering specialized Veteran Response Teams—who truly understand the unique challenges veterans face—communities can respond with compassion, defuse crisis situations more effectively, and create safer, healthier outcomes for everyone involved.”

“Having served in both the military and law enforcement, I believe we have a sacred duty to support those who have protected us. Our veterans, much like our law enforcement officers, have answered the call in our nation’s time of need,” said Sheriff Eli Rivera, Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association President. “This bill presents an opportunity to uphold that covenant, ensuring our veterans receive the care and resources they deserve in their darkest hour. SRLEEA is committed to advocating for policies that honor and support our nation’s heroes, both on and off the battlefield.”

“The SERVICE Act is a vital and strategic support for the critical role of trained veterans in responding to their peers in times of need—because no one understands a veteran like another veteran,” said Jim Burch, President of the National Policing Institute. “By establishing dedicated Veterans Response Teams, law enforcement can provide immediate, informed, and empathetic care, bridging the gap between crisis intervention and long-term support.”  

“CJ3 Foundation is proud to endorse Congressman Dale Strong’s introduction of the Supporting Every at Risk Veteran In Critical Emergencies (SERVICE) Act of 2025, which proposes that the Attorney General support the creation and operation of ‘Veterans Response Teams’ in the law enforcement agencies of states, local government, and similar entities to assist veterans in need and strengthen local law enforcement relationships with the veteran communities they serve,” said Eric Thomas, CJ3 Foundation Founder and Director.

Original cosponsors of the SERVICE Act include Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Derek Tran (D-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Don Davis (D-NC), Barry Moore (R-AL), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), and Mike Rogers (R-AL).

BACKGROUND:  

There were 6,407 veteran suicides in 2022, according to the most recent VA data. Most veterans who committed suicide were not receiving any form of care at the VA.

VA studies suggest that strides can be made toward prevention with greater community-based intervention and coalition-building and by increasing awareness of and access to mental health services, among other things.  

It is estimated that 20-25% of law enforcement officers have a background in military service. Establishing Veterans Response Teams affords an opportunity for positive engagement for veterans both within their departments and within their broader communities – which could assist in the transition between military and civilian life and improve recruitment and retention efforts within law enforcement.  

To that end, the SERVICE Act aims to take steps toward assisting veterans in crisis by allowing DOJ COPS grants to be used to:  

• Train and educate law enforcement officers on mental health issues related to military service.  
• Outfit law enforcement officers with insignia that indicate their branch of service.  
• Provide overtime pay for law enforcement officers who participate in a Veterans Response Team.  
• Grow awareness of the program within their communities and promote VA resources.