Police Officer Line Of Duty Deaths Up Sharply In 2007
There were 179 line-of-duty related deaths in 2007, up from 147 in 2006. Here’s the breakdown:
Total Line of Duty Deaths: 179
9/11 related illness: 5
Accidental: 3
Aircraft accident: 3
Animal related: 1
Automobile accident: 47
Boating accident: 1
Bomb: 5
Drowned: 3
Exposure to toxins: 1
Fall: 2
Gunfire: 63
Gunfire (Accidental): 4
Heart attack: 7
Heat exhaustion: 1
Motorcycle accident: 5
Struck by vehicle: 9
Vehicle pursuit: 6
Vehicular assault: 11
Weather/Natural disaster: 2
Average tour: 10 years, 7 months
Average age: 38
By Gender:
Female: 8
Male: 171
Texas is the leader by far with 22 line-of-duty deaths, followed by Florida and the U.S. Government with 16 each, and New York with 11.
This, of course, is a subject that is very deep in my heart, having been a police officer for the past 19 years and I am proud to have served as one. My heart goes out to the families of those brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day. It all comes down to my favorite quote:
“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm.” – George Orwell.
Source: The Officer Down Memorial Page. Check out the site.
