As far as I know, it's not. But those in uniform are often portrayed as heroes (whether they are or not), so that could be why they might recieve more attention if harmed or killed than a civilian would.

Because killing a cop is perceived as an attack on the government. Naturally the government will defend itself with laws that carry especially heavier punishments for those that threaten it.

Police are more likely to face such dangers. Every day their job puts them at such risks. This is to act as somewhat of a deterent to help officers do their jobs at min. risk. I cannot speak for all cops, but my dad believed in his job as a peace keeper. BTW, he was shot and killed doing it. In my opinion, most cops are heroes. They do a job that constantly puts them in harms way. We owe it to them to take whatever measures needed to make their jobs as safe as possible.

In Florida, there are enhanced penalties if the officer is killed in the line of duty or simply because he/she was a cop. Same for judges and the others mentioned in the Statute excerpt below: "775.0823 Violent offenses committed against law enforcement officers, correctional officers, state attorneys, assistant state attorneys, justices, or judges.--The Legislature does hereby provide for an increase and certainty of penalty for any person convicted of a violent offense against any law enforcement or correctional officer, as defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (8), or (9); against any state attorney elected pursuant to s. 27.01 or assistant state attorney appointed under s. 27.181; or against any justice or judge of a court described in Art. V of the State Constitution, which offense arises out of or in the scope of the officer's duty as a law enforcement or correctional officer, the state attorney's or assistant state attorney's duty as a prosecutor or investigator, or the justice's or judge's duty as a judicial officer, as follows: (1) For murder in the first degree as described in s. 782.04(1), if the death sentence is not imposed, a sentence of imprisonment for life without eligibility for release." As for why - because we entrust the badges and judicial robes to those who keep and enforce our laws. The harsher penalty is to provide the bad guys with (hopefully) something to think about before they do something to harm them. We protect our protectors.

Penalties for killing law enforcement personnel and prison guards are enhanced not because their lives are considered worth more than those of a mother or a teacher, but because their lives are more at risk. It is thought that enhancing the penalties FOR killing them helps work against the greater temptation criminals may feel TO kill them. This makes sense when you're talking about cops, immigration police, wildlife (poaching) enforcement, prison staff, prosecutors, public defenders, judges, and parole boards: people whose professions require frequent contact with criminals, doing things criminals are not going to like at all. However, in a lot of states, other public officials want to be put on the list of officials and politicians whose killers get extra penalties. This is only my personal opinion, but in over thirty years of watching this, it seems to me that this is more about the egos of the politicians rather than any genuine, REALISTIC, saftey risk. It's a prestige thing with them, like having giant "security details" (bodyguards) for public officials who don't really need them, and who use the guards to fetch cigarettes and run personal errands, and use the jobs as guards to reward their political supporters with high pay for little responsibility.

I wouldn't call it 'more illegal' it just carries a heavier penalty. It's just as illegal as speeding. Except with speeding you get a ticket and with murder you get jail time... unless you're OJ.

Yes, I get the drift of your question. It seems a tad unfair, doesn't it? I suppose police are considered to need more protection because of the risks they run. I couldn't help thinking of the Rodney King incident when I read the question; not all police are worthy of such protection, sadly.

My brother, a retired 34 veteran of the police force, said "If someone would kill an armed officer of the law, what would be the deterant from killing an unarmed civilian"

I am one of those people who risk my butt everyday so those mothers, teachers, church officials can be safe. I love my job, but fear for my life everyday. So many officers have fallen because of a criminal not wanting to go to jail/prison for breaking the law, they shoot them. They dont realize they have families, and friends who love them and want them to come home everyday. I understand what you mean by this question, but you also have to understand that the cops, correctional officers, etc. deal with people everyday that the mothers, fathers, children teachers, and overall general public does not want to deal with. However, murder is murder wither way. Hope this helps.