By Craig W. Floyd
NLEOMF Chairman and CEO
Our preliminary data shows that 59 federal, state and local officers were killed in the line of duty between January 1 and June 30 of this year, compared to 100 law enforcement fatalities during the same period last year—a 41 percent decrease! We must always honor and never forget the 59 officers who died or the 59 families of those officers who have been devastated by their loss, but this is indeed encouraging news.
As you know, 2007 was one of the deadliest years for law enforcement in the last two decades, with 181 fatalities nationwide. That unexpected upsurge in law enforcement fatalities received a lot of public attention. While the dangers facing our officers have not decreased, it appears that law enforcement leaders, trainers, policymakers and, most importantly, officers on the street are doing a better job preparing for those dangers. The result has been increased training, better equipment and a law enforcement professional that approaches every assignment as if it could be life-threatening.
Thanks so much for helping us promote law enforcement safety through your generous support! One of our main missions is to provide information that will help promote law enforcement safety. With your assistance, this mission is being accomplished. And, through the Research Center that will be such an important part of the National Law Enforcement Museum, we will be able to do even more to help promote law enforcement safety!