Homicide
trends in the U.S.
Law
enforcement officers killed
The
number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty has declined
since the early 1970's
Between 1996 and 2005, of the 575 officers killed --
- 26% were in arrest situations
- 18% were in ambush situations
- 18% were making traffic pursuits/stops
- 17% were on disturbance calls
- 12% were investigating suspicious persons/circumstances
- 10% were in other situations
Of the 662 assailants identified in the killing of law enforcement officers
from
1996-2005 --
- more than half had a prior conviction
- 2 out of 5 had a prior arrest for a violent crime.
To view data, click on the chart.
 [D]
Most law enforcement officers are killed with firearms, particularly
handguns
The greatest proportion of the recent decline in murders of law enforcement officers is attributable
to the decline in handgun murders.
To view data, click on the chart.
 [D]
Source: FBI, Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 1973-2005
Additional information about the data
used in Homicide trends in the U.S.
See also Policing and Homicide,
1976-98: Justifiable Homicide of Felons by Police and Murder of Police
by Felons
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