Law Enforcement Fatalities High for the Second Straight Year

In 2011, law enforcement fatalities nationwide rose sharply with 173 federal, state and local officers killed in the line of duty, according to a preliminary report released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). This represents a 13% increase over the 153 officers killed in 2010, and a 42% spike when compared to the 122 officers killed in 2009. The primary cause of death this year was gunfire, which claimed the lives of 68 officers, while traffic-related accidents resulted in 64 officer fatalities. In addition to firearm- or traffic-related fatalities, 27 officers died because of job-related illnesses, four died as a result of falls, two drowned and two were stabbed. One officer died due to each of the following causes: aircraft accident; beating; bomb-related incident; struck by a falling object; electrocution; and strangulation. NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd says that drastic budget cuts affecting law enforcement agencies across the country are putting officers at a great risk. He cites a recent survey by the International Association of Chiefs of Police that found 60% of responding law enforcement agencies had cut back on training, 64% had cut back on buying or upgrading major equipment and 58% had cut back on buying or upgrading technology. "At a time when officers are facing a more cold-blooded criminal element and fighting a war on terror, we are cutting vital resources necessary to ensure their safety and the safety of the innocent citizens they protect," he adds. The report is based on preliminary data compiled and does not represent a final or complete list of individual officers who will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in 2011.