How Many Police Officers Killed in 2022?
The policing profession is inherently dangerous, and police officers are put in harm’s way daily to protect and serve their communities. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for law enforcement officers to lose their lives in the line of duty. In 2022, the number of police officers killed in the line of duty was alarming.
The Numbers
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), a non-profit organization that tracks line-of-duty deaths, there were 319 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2022. This represents an increase of 14% from the previous year, when 281 officers were killed.
**Top 5 Causes of Death
The NLEOMF also reports on the top 5 causes of death for law enforcement officers. In 2022, the leading causes of death were:
- Traffic-related incidents: 154 officers (48% of total fatalities) died in traffic-related incidents, including car accidents and motorcycle crashes.
- Gunfire: 66 officers (21% of total fatalities) died from gunfire, including both friendly fire and ambushes.
- Stress/Other Health-Related Conditions: 34 officers (11% of total fatalities) died from stress or other health-related conditions.
- Falls/Machinery Accidents: 15 officers (5% of total fatalities) died in falls or machinery accidents.
- Other Incidents: 50 officers (16% of total fatalities) died in other types of incidents, including physical assaults, drownings, and explosions.
Geographic Breakdown
The NLEOMF report also provides a geographic breakdown of the line-of-duty deaths. In 2022, the top 5 states with the highest number of officer fatalities were:
| State | Number of Fatalities |
|---|---|
| Texas | 40 |
| California | 26 |
| Florida | 23 |
| New York | 21 |
| Georgia | 18 |
Demographic Breakdown
The NLEOMF report also provides a demographic breakdown of the line-of-duty deaths. In 2022, the officers who were killed were predominantly:
- Male: 92% of the total fatalities
- White: 63% of the total fatalities
- 30-39 years old: 24% of the total fatalities
- 10-20 years of service: 35% of the total fatalities
Conclusion
The number of police officers killed in the line of duty in 2022 is a sobering reminder of the risks and challenges that law enforcement officers face every day. As law enforcement agencies and communities around the country work to increase officer safety and well-being, it is essential that we also recognize and honor the sacrifices made by police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Additional Statistics
- The NLEOMF reports that an average of 150-200 law enforcement officers are killed in the line of duty each year in the United States.
- In 2022, 23% of officer fatalities were officers in their first 5 years of service.
- In 2022, 27% of officer fatalities were officers over the age of 45.
- In 2022, 85% of officer fatalities were officers who were not wearing body armor at the time of the incident.
Call to Action
As we honor the memories of the law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2022, let us also work to support and protect the men and women who serve and protect our communities. This can include advocating for increased officer safety measures, providing training and resources to help officers manage stress and trauma, and recognizing the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers every day.
