How Many Police Were Killed in 2022?
The year 2022 has been a challenging one for law enforcement agencies across the United States. As of December 31, 2022, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) reported that a total of 143 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. This number includes officers from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as corrections officers and probation officers.
Fatalities by Cause
The leading cause of officer fatalities in 2022 was traffic-related incidents, accounting for 51 deaths. This includes officers who were struck and killed by vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists, as well as those who were involved in traffic accidents while responding to emergency calls.
Firearm-Related Fatalities
Firearm-related incidents were the second leading cause of officer fatalities, accounting for 44 deaths. This includes officers who were shot and killed while responding to calls, during arrests, or while patrolling their beats.
Other Causes
Other causes of officer fatalities in 2022 included:
- Falls (5 deaths)
- Drowning (2 deaths)
- Electrocution (1 death)
- Struck by a train (1 death)
- Other (11 deaths)
Regional Breakdown
The NLEOMF reported that officer fatalities were distributed across the United States, with no region experiencing a disproportionate number of deaths. However, some states did experience a higher number of officer fatalities than others. The top 5 states with the most officer fatalities in 2022 were:
| State | Number of Officer Fatalities |
|---|---|
| Texas | 15 |
| California | 12 |
| Florida | 10 |
| Georgia | 8 |
| Ohio | 7 |
Demographics
The NLEOMF also reported on the demographics of the officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2022. The majority of the officers who were killed were:
- Male (134 officers)
- White (115 officers)
- Ages 30-49 (63 officers)
- Serving more than 10 years (64 officers)
Challenges Facing Law Enforcement
The 143 officer fatalities in 2022 are a sobering reminder of the challenges facing law enforcement agencies across the United States. From traffic-related incidents to firearm-related incidents, officers are facing a range of risks as they work to protect and serve their communities.
Conclusion
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has reported that a total of 143 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2022. While the numbers are tragic, they serve as a reminder of the sacrifices that law enforcement officers make every day to keep their communities safe. As we move forward into 2023, it is essential that we work to reduce the number of officer fatalities and support our law enforcement agencies in their critical mission.
