Line of Duty Deaths up 900% This Year

100 Comments

Not pictured: Tommy Bishop

Featured Author:

Chris Cosgriff

Chris Cosgriff founded the Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc., in 1996 and has served as its director and Chairman since that time. Through his work with the ODMP, Chris has become recognized one of the country’s leading experts on line of duty deaths. He has given countless media interviews and has been invited to speak at law enforcement conferences nationwide. In 2005 he was awarded the Grand Lodge FOP’s Exemplary Service Award for his efforts in working to honor the sacrifices law enforcement officers make every day.

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With just one day before January’s halfway point, line of duty deaths in 2010 are up 900% compared to the same time last year.

So far in 2010, ten law enforcement officers from nine different states have been killed in the line of duty: Four by gunfire and six in automobile or motorcycle crashes. As we honor their memories, and mourn their loss, every single person in the law enforcement community must also demand that the downward trend in deaths we’ve been experiencing over the past few years doesn’t come to end in 2010. Everyone must work together to remind rookies, veterans, and themselves that it is every cop’s responsibility to be safe out there.

Take it upon yourself to use and share these resources to assist you in that effort:

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial’s Drive Safely Campaign serves as a reminder to not only civilians, but also police officers, about the dangers posed on the roadways. Every officer and supporter should participate in the campaign.

For the raw numbers on the number of officers killed in vehicle crashes lately, visit the Officer Down Memorial Page and just take a look at the yearly breakdowns. The numbers are truly sobering.

I am personally calling on all officers to make a conscious decision to:

1) Wear your seatbelts

2) Remember that you’re no good as a backup officer if you don’t arrive

3) Always approach stopped vehicles in the safest location possible

One of the greatest honors a fallen officer can have is that his or her tragic loss saves the lives of other officers in the future. I urge everyone to honor each of this year’s fallen in that way.

For a complete list of this year’s fallen heroes, visit the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Related Reads:

The Bottom Line on Seat Belts for Law Enforcers

10 Domestic Violence Reminders for Veteran Officers

Traffic Stops
&
Control of Passengers

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Anonymous

over 3 years ago

Craig Story - You were a great cop. You're loss is a tragic one for the community. May God watch over your family and your unborn child waiting to come into this world not even knowing that he's already lost his father. Rest in peace my brother in arms.
CAZ

over 3 years ago

1428 Comments

May our Brothers and Sisters rest in peace. They will not be forgotten.
ds212

over 3 years ago

1508 Comments

Thank you Chris, all Brothers and Sisters stay safe and God Bless.
capasol

over 3 years ago

128 Comments

Chris, thanks for the "Heads Up." We can all always be reminded to be safe. Stay safe.
alliebrat13

over 3 years ago

368 Comments

Thank you for posting this article. I completely agree with you in that "One of the greatest honors a fallen officer can have is that his or her tragic loss saves the lives of other officers in the future."

RIP Fallen Brothers and Sisters
bbsmith

over 3 years ago

44 Comments

CHRIS THANK YOU FOR YOUR DETICATION TO THIS AND KEEPING IT IN THE FORE FRONT. IT IS A EVER PRESENT DANGER WE ALL SHOULD REMEMBER.
KFJames71

over 3 years ago

26 Comments

Practice safety, watch out for eachother, don't get complacent; there is no such thing as a "routine" call/stop. Stay vigillant, stay alive!
armed_commander

over 3 years ago

268 Comments

THAT'S REAL TRUE.. IT'S EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO BE SAFE. WE DON'T KNOW THEM, BUT THEY KNEW US.

TO ALL THAT HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
keeneagle

over 3 years ago

37532 Comments

Excellent reminders.
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

A thought that we should all carry with us the remainder of this year and into the rest of our careers. We can't let the bastard that is death by the scourge take our brothers and sisters needlessly. Lets be careful out there and honor our friends passing be ensuring than we loose no more. RIP to those that have gone before
tjohnsonr18

over 3 years ago

290 Comments

I completely agree, we need to take a little time to make sure that we all make it home. This thing of getting an email everyday of another brother or sister going down is really getting old. Just got back from the funeral for Cpl. Szuba and K-9 Ricky in Mishawaka Indiana, It is very tragic and wonderus at the same time. Threre where brothers and sisters from at least four states there just to prove that we all have a bond that is unbreakable from anyone in this world. I looked around today to see that a little peice of every officer was laid to rest today. So please everyone stay safe and watch out for each other, because nomatter what happens we are all part of the same family and will always be there for each other during what ever battle you may encounter. GOD BLESS us all and be safe.
brooklynsergeant

over 3 years ago

4396 Comments

After a so called year of Officers deaths down, but multiple Officer attacks and murders up. We start the second decade of this century with a sharp increase in the number of Officer deaths, it is almost becomming a daily occurence that an Officer goes down. Vest Up, Call For Backup, Survival TacticsUsed on All Calls, Cover Your 6 and Cover Each Other!
justlogic

over 3 years ago

178 Comments

I was wondering how the 900% figure was reached. This is a devastating figure and cause for great alarm. Everyone please,please, take that extra step of caution.
oldcowboy

over 3 years ago

2828 Comments

I agree. Every stop an officer makes is a deadly foe until proven otherwise. With the breakdown of society here in the United States, the respect for authority has dimished and fear of consequence is being absent more and more. It is time for the good people to take back our country.
policeryan

over 3 years ago

852 Comments

all gave some but these men gave all, thank you RIP brothers