Tuesday, December 29 2009 - 12:23 PM
A Tale of Two Trends
From the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund:
12-29-09

2009 was indeed a tale of two trends in U.S. law enforcement fatalities.

Fewer officers died in the line-of-duty this year (124 as of yesterday) -the lowest total deaths since 1959. However, the number of officers who were shot and killed surged 23 percent this year, driven in part by five separate incidents in which multiple officers were gunned down by one offender.

Those are among the key findings of a new report released today by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, in conjunction with Concerns of Police Survivors.

“This year’s overall, 7 percent reduction in law enforcement deaths was driven largely by a steep drop in the number of officers killed in traffic-related incidents,” reported NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd. “However, that bit of good news was overshadowed by an alarming surge in the number of officers killed by gunfire.”

Highlights of the report are summarized below. We invite you to read the full Research Bulletin on our website at www.LawMemorial.org/ResearchBulletin

Multiple Fatality Shootings Shock Law Enforcement

Nearly one-third of this year’s 48 firearms-related fatalities-15 deaths in all-occurred in just five incidents in which more than one officer was shot by a single gunman.

These tragedies took place in Lakewood, WA (4 deaths); Oakland, CA (4); Pittsburgh, PA (3); Okaloosa County, FL (2), and Seminole County, OK (2). 2009 saw the most multiple-fatality law enforcement deaths since 1981.

“Many of the cold-blooded career criminals our officers confront each and every day do not think twice about assaulting or killing a cop.” – Craig W. Floyd

Responding to domestic disturbance calls proved particularly dangerous for law enforcement in 2009. Almost 23 percent of this year’s gunfire deaths-a total of 11, including the three officers gunned down in Pittsburgh in April-involved officers responding to domestic disturbance calls. Unprovoked ambush attacks claimed another six lives, including the four Lakewood officers executed in a coffee shop in November.

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