The number of U.S. law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty this year has increased by 10 percent compared to the same time period in 2016.
A total of 34 officers have been reported killed while doing their jobs, compared to 31 line of duty deaths last year, according to data compiled by the Law Enforcmeent Officers Memial Fund.
Despite the jump in deaths, gun-related fatalities are down almost 40 percent. Of the gunfire-related deaths this year, 34 percent occurred while responding to a domestic disturbance call, 22 percent attempting arrest, 22 percent during a tactical situation, 11 percent during an investigation and 11 percent in an ambush.
Statistics show a 27 percent increase in traffic-related deaths as well as a150 percent increase in "other" causes of death. These include deaths caused by aircraft crashes, drowning, electrocution, falling, fire-related incidents, and job-related illness and poisoning.
Last year, 135 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. These officers will be honored during Police Week 2017, which runs from May 15-21 in Washington D.C.
