Over 160 law enforcement officers have been shot in the line of duty so far this year, a roughly 15% increase from the same span in 2022, according to the National Fraternal Order of Police.
In its monthly update, the FOP reports that 166 officers were shot in the line of duty through May. That total is not only a 15% year-to-date increase from last year, but also a 30% year-to-date increase from 2021 and a 40% year-to-date increase in 2020.
Of those officers shot this year, 21 have been killed, which is comparable to the same time last year. Through the first five months of 2022, 20 officers were fatally shot in the line of duty.
Fatal shootings of officers in 2023 are down, however, compared to other previous years, according to the FOP:
- 2021: 23% decrease year-to-date
- 2020: 13% decrease year-to-date
The FOP's report continued to highlight the problem of ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers. So far this year, 54 officers have been shot in 47 of ambush attacks, and of those shot, 9 were killed.
In the first five months of 2022, 42 officers were shot in 27 ambush-style attacks. Of those shot, six were killed.
Go to the National Fraternal Order of Police's website to read the full report.
