Current:Home > BackNumber of police officer deaths dropped last year, report finds-InfoLens
Number of police officer deaths dropped last year, report finds
View Date:2024-12-23 16:10:55
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of police officers who died on the job dropped again last year, including deaths from gunfire, traffic accidents and COVID-19, according to a new report released Thursday.
A total of 136 U.S. police officers died in the line of duty in 2023, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund yearend report found.
That’s a decrease of about 39% from the year before, when 224 officers died, and continues a downward trend after police deaths hit an all-time high of 586 in 2021, largely driven by the coronavirus.
“Just in the last two or three years, we’ve posted some really, really big, alarming numbers in terms of overall officer deaths each year,” said Bill Alexander, the Memorial Fund’s executive director. “This year, for the first time in a while, we’re down in almost every category.”
A total of 47 officers died after being shot in the line of duty, down 25% from the year before. Still, another report from the National Fraternal Order of Police found the number of officers struck by gunfire was at a high of 378, showing that firearm danger remains serious even as trauma care and gear like bullet-resistant vests have advanced in saving lives, Alexander said.
Officers killed in traffic crashes dropped 27% compared with the year before. Five deaths were related to COVID-19, compared with 74 in 2022.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private nonprofit in Washington that built and maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial monument, as well as a database of officer deaths dating to 1786. The data in its yearend reports come from federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies.
veryGood! (163)
Related
- 2 more escaped monkeys recaptured and enjoying peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in South Carolina
- What to watch: We're mad about Mikey
- Opinion: Trump win means sports will again be gigantic (and frightening) battleground
- Full list of 2025 Grammy nominations: Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, more make the cut
- Kraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand
- Florida environmental protection head quits 2 months after backlash of plan to develop state parks
- Federal judge hears arguments in Shilo Sanders' bankruptcy case
- US to tighten restrictions on energy development to protect struggling sage grouse
- A herniated disc is painful, debilitating. How to get relief.
- 2025 Grammy nominations live updates: Beyoncé leads the way
Ranking
- Satire publication The Onion acquires Alex Jones' Infowars at auction
- Nigerian man arrested upon landing in Houston in alleged romance fraud that netted millions
- 3 dead, including the suspect, after shooting in Pennsylvania apartment and 40-mile police chase
- Grammy 2025 snubs: Who didn't get nominated that should have?
- Krispy Kreme is giving free dozens to early customers on World Kindness Day
- Meet the 2025 Grammys Best New Artist Nominees
- About 1,100 workers at Toledo, Ohio, Jeep plant face layoffs as company tries to reduce inventory
- Mariah Carey Shares Rare Photo of Her and Nick Cannon's 13-Year-Old Son
Recommendation
-
Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn ends retirement, plans to return to competition
-
Beyoncé Makes History With 2025 Grammy Nominations
-
Man is charged in highway shootings around North Carolina’s capital city
-
Building muscle requires a higher protein intake. But eating too much protein isn't safe.
-
How to protect your Social Security number from the Dark Web
-
Elwood Edwards, the man behind the voice of AOL’s ‘You’ve got mail’ greeting, dies at 74
-
Prince William Gets Candid on Brutal Year With Kate Middleton and King Charles' Cancer Diagnoses
-
College Football Playoff elimination games: Which teams desperately need Week 11 win?