Law Enforcement Fatalities

2014 has been a deadly year for law enforcement nationwide, according to preliminary figures released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. It found 126 law enforcement fatalities, up 24% over last year, with firearms-related deaths (50) spiking 56%. Fund Chairman Craig Floyd looks at police officer deaths and injuries. “One police officer is killed somewhere in America every 58 hours. There are some 60,000 criminal assaults against officers each year in our country and there are more than 100,000 officers who are injured in the line of duty. It is the most dangerous job in America.” The fund also found ambush-style attacks were the number one cause of felonious officer deaths (15) for the fifth year in a row, continues Floyd. “The increase in the number of ambush-style attacks against officer is of great concern. I think officer seem to be going up against a more cold-blooded callus killer who doesn’t hesitate to confront police officers with violence.” The Fund tracks federal, state, local, tribal and territorial officers. The figures are as of Dec. 29. The names of the fallen will be added to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, May 13, during National Police Week.