There has been a surge in the number of law enforcement officers being killed in the line of duty in the U.S.
2009 saw a 50 year low, but during the first half of 2010, there was a 43% increase, according to data released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) today. If the trend continues, this could be one of the worst years for law enforcement deaths in 20 years.
87 officers died in the line of duty from Jan 1 to June 30, 2010. By June 30, 2010, officer fatalities had already reached 75 percent of the total for all of last year, which was 116.
NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd said “As governments across the country face tighter and tighter budgets, we must ensure that critical officer safety measures such as training, equipment and personnel are not sacrificed. If our dedicated law enforcement officers are to continue to drive down crime, as they have done so successfully in recent years, then they must have the necessary resources to protect our communities and themselves.”
Gun related deaths are up by 41 percent. Six officers were killed in three separate multiple-fatality killings this year.
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