Law Enforcement Fatalities Dip to Lowest Level in Six Decades - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee

Law Enforcement Fatalities Dip to Lowest Level in Six Decades - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2013 -- 33 officers killed in firearms-related incidents is fewest since 1887
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Law enforcement officer fatalities dropped for the second year in a row to the lowest level in six decades and the number of officers killed in firearms-related incidents this year was the fewest since the 1800s, according to preliminary data compiled and released today in an annual research bulletin published by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).

According to the report, 111 federal, state, local, tribal and territorial officers were killed in the line of duty nationwide in 2013.  This was the fewest number of fatalities for the law enforcement profession since 1959 when 110 officers died.  This year's total was eight percent fewer than 2012 when 121 officers made the ultimate sacrifice.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/29/6034610/law-enforcement-fatalities-dip.html#storylink=cpy

The number one cause of officer fatalities in 2013 was traffic-related incidents, which claimed 46 lives.  Thirty-three officers were killed in firearms-related incidents this past year, which was a 33 percent drop from 2012 and is the lowest number since 1887 when 27 officers were shot to death.  Thirty-two officers died due to other causes in 2013, including 14 who suffered heart attacks while performing their duties.

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Bill's Note: the decrease in death by gunfire is good, but we need to see if that correlated to a decrease in assaults using guns, or perhaps a  result of more awareness and ability to provide immediate care-under-fire (CUF).  A lot of us are carrying tourniquets and essentially military IFAKs, but it's hard to say if that increased preparation is saving lives, though it can't be hurting.

A 4% decrease in traffic related fatalities isn't enough to speak of, it should have been far higher.  Wear your seatbelt, and high-vis apparel as appropriate.

The 14 heart attacks is stunning.  We know that this is a toxic profession, we know about diet and nutrition, we know about sleep hygiene and exercise.  For myself, whose father dropped dead in his early 40s from a heart attack, this is the really troublesome number.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/29/6034610/law-enforcement-fatalities-dip.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/29/6034610/law-enforcement-fatalities-dip.html#storylink=cpy

Link to NLEOMF Report