Wednesday's deadly attacks on two Iowa police officers added to an already disturbing uptick in ambush-style killing of law enforcement officers.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund says the number of officers gunned down in ambush attacks has increased by 167 percent this year, according to USA TODAY.
Urbandale Police Officer Justin Martin and Des Moines Police Sgt. Anthony "Tony" Beminio were both slain while still sitting in their cruisers responding to reports of gunfire.
Forty officers have been fatally wounded in the line of duty in ambush-style attacks since 2014.
A total of 115 officers have been killed in the line of duty this year and 52 of those officers were killed by gunfire -- a 58 percent increase. Overall, more officers have been shot and killed so far this year than during any full year since 2011.
"All of these tragedies remind us in very stark terms that America's law enforcement professionals are facing clear and growing dangers on our behalf. And, when our police officers are at risk, we are all at risk," NLEOMF spokesman Steve Groeninger told the news outlet.
