Washington, DC – Fewer U.S. law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2009 than in any year in the past half century—an encouraging trend tempered by a disturbing increase in the number of officers who were killed by gunfire, many of them in brutal, ambush-style attacks.

As of December 28, 124 law enforcement officers had died in the line of duty from all causes, a 7 percent reduction from the 133 fatalities in 2008, according to preliminary data compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). The last time officer fatalities were this low was in 1959, when there were 108 line-of-duty deaths.

“This year’s overall reduction in law enforcement deaths was driven largely by a steep, 21 percent 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.” According to Mr. Floyd, 48 officers were shot and killed in 2009, compared to 39 in 2008, which represents a 23 percent increase. Mr. Floyd is a Charter Member of the CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute.  The data reflects a reduction from 18 to 12 of officers who were struck and killed outside their vehicles. The NLEOMF credits the enactment and enforcement of Move Over Laws in all but a few states as a positive contribution in reducing struck by deaths.

Download the complete Annual Report for 2009 and NLEOMF Press Release from the link below. Readers are reminded that Respondersafety.com maintains a special law enforcement section that can be accessed by clicking on the “Police” tab at the top of the page. Roadway safety experts Trooper Brad Sprague and Master Sergeant Mark Karczewski of the Illinois State Police host the page. Brad and Mark may be reached by clicking on the Contact US tab.

1. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund