The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reported on statistics from their 2024 Mid-year Fatality Report, “As of June 30, 2024, 71 federal, state, county, municipal, tribal and officers from the U.S. Territories have died in the line of duty in 2024, representing a 15% increase compared to the 62 officers who died in the line of during the first half of 2023.” The report can be viewed here. The introduction to their report is pictured below.
“Of the 71 confirmed law enforcement line-of-duty deaths from January 1 – June 30, 2024, firearms-related fatalities were the leading cause of law enforcement deaths.”
The report discussed the leading cause of death, “Of the 71 confirmed law enforcement line-of-duty deaths from January 1 – June 30, 2024, firearms-related fatalities were the leading cause of law enforcement deaths. There have been 28 officers killed by gunfire so far this year, compared with 26 gunfire fatalities during the first six months of 2023. Of the 28 firearms fatalities, five were killed during a traffic stop or pursuit and four were killed serving a felony warrant. Three each were shot handling domestic disputes and investigating suspicious persons or activity. Two were shot while involved in a tactical situation, two officers were shot serving civil papers, two during a disturbance call, two were shot attempting to make an arrest and two were ambushed in an unprovoked attack. Two officers were killed as a result of accidental shootings and one officer was killed while enroute home after his shift. Rifles were the leading type of firearm used in fatal shootings of law enforcement officers in the first half of 2024. Of the 28 officer fatalities, eight were killed with a rifle, four were killed with a handgun. The type of firearm used in the remaining 16 fatalities is still under investigation or unknown.”
“26 officers were killed in traffic-related incidents during the first half of 2024, compared to 11 over the same period last year, an increase of 136%.”
The report covered traffic-related fatalities, “26 officers were killed in traffic-related incidents during the first half of 2024, compared to 11 over the same period last year, an increase of 136%. Of the 26 traffic-related fatalities, 15 were automobile crashes and 2 were motorcycle crashes. During the same time period last year, 8 officers were killed in automobile crashes and 1 died in a motorcycle crash. Struck-by incidents, where an officer was hit by a vehicle while outside of their patrol vehicle, remain the second-leading cause of traffic-related fatalities. These fatal struck-by crashes often occur while officers are investigating motor vehicle crashes or assisting motorists on the side of the road. Nine struck-by fatalities occurred during the first half of the year, versus two during the same period last year.”
Other Causes and Fatalities
The report discussed other causes and fatalities, “The ‘Other’ category in this report contains a wide variety of health-related deaths and other line-ofduty fatalities. 17 officers are listed in the “Other” category versus 25 for the same period last year, a 32% decrease from last year. Nine officers died from health-related illnesses, such as heart attacks and strokes, while the remaining eight officers died as a result of falling, drowning, fire-related incidents, officer beatings and stabbings, as well as electrocution.”
The report continued with information about the demographics of the officers who died and about Police Week 2025. Information about Police Week 2025 can be found here. https://www.policeweek.org/
