Over 280 police officers have been shot so far this year, with ambush attacks continuing to be a growing concern, according to a report by the National Fraternal Order of Police.
As of October, 281 police and law enforcement officers had been shot in the line a duty, according to the FOP's monthly update. That's a 1% increase from the same span in 2021 and 11% hike from 2020. Of those shot, 55 officers were killed, which is a 6% increase from 2021 and a 31% increase from 2020.
More concerning, according to the FOP, is the continued threat of ambush-style attacks on law enforcement. So far this year, there have been 71 such attacks on police and law enforcement officers, with 104 officers shot, 27 of them fatally.
"Premeditated ambush-style attacks are particularly disturbing and pernicious," the FOP report states. "These types of attacks are carried out with an element of surprise and intended to deprive officers of their ability to defend against the attack. Premeditated attacks contribute to a worrisome desensitization to evil acts that were once largely considered taboo except by the most depraved individuals."
The following is breakdown of the states with most officers killed by gunfire so far in 2022.
- Texas: 26
- Arizona: 21
- Kentucky: 16
- Georgia: 14
- Pennsylvania: 14
- North Carolina: 13
- California:13
- Illinois: 12
- Florida:12
- Washington: 12
Go to the National Fraternal Order of Police's website to read the full update.
