Police officers shot in the line of duty are up by over 40% from last year, while ambush-style attacks also have sharp increase, according to a new report by the National Fraternal Order of Police.
As of April 1, 101 officers have been shot this year, with 17 killed in those incidents, the FOP stated in its monthly update. The number of line-of-duty shootings is up 46% over the same period in 2021 and up 63% from 2022.
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Arizona leads the country in officers shot, with 12. Texas (9), Missouri (8), Georgia (7) and New York (7) round out the top five.
In February, nine Phoenix officers were shot during a standoff that also was an ambush-style attack. Since April 1, there have been 19 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers and agents. That's up 36% over the same span last year.
"Premeditated ambush-style attacks are particularly disturbing and pernicious," the FOP stated in its report. "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 data in the FOP's monthly update consists of preliminary numbers and is subject to change. The FOP's 2021 year-end summary will be published early this year.
Go to the FOP's website to read the full report.
