Updated for 2012: The deadliest days for cops are here

With the holidays fast approaching, it's time once again to remind all of our law enforcement officers that the three deadliest days LEOs face are right around the corner. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day are the three single days that the most LEOs are killed on throughout the year (with the exception of 9/11).

Day	# LODDs
1. January 1st	106
2. December 25th	90
3. December 24th	87

Whether you're facing a domestic disturbance call, suspicious person/vehicle, or responding to an emergency, it is imperative that you keep that heightened level of awareness this holiday season and always.

Never forget: Wear your vest. Wear your seatbelt. Slow down.

• Download free officer safety posters to display at your department over the holidays.

2013 Honor Guard Seminar Announced

Chris Cosgriff, Executive Director of the Officer Down Memorial Page, will again be presenting at the annual Fairfax County Police Department Honor Guard Seminar, which will be held in June 2013. This 3-day seminar has taught dozens of Honor Guard units from throughout the United States and Canada the proper protocol for conducting a line of duty death funeral. The seminar culminates with a complete mock funeral to allow participants to practice in a real-world setting.

Please refer to the Fairfax Count Police Department's announcement for more information and registration instructions:

Some of the participants from a past seminar.

The Fairfax County Police Department Honor Guard will be hosting a three day training seminar June 24, 25, 26th, 2013.  Attached is the seminar registration form and course outline for your review.  This will be our eighth seminar.  We have received very positive feedback from all attendees.

We have broken down the training into eight training stations (see attached) which we will rotate every hour and fifteen minutes.  We will have class room instruction on how to prepare a line of duty death Teletype Message (TTY), Honor Guard budget and equipment companies from which to purchase supplies.  Mr. Chris Cosgriff, the chair of the Officer Down Memorial Page (www.odmp.org) will give a presentation on ODMP on day one of our seminar.  Day three we will transport the class to a funeral home/cemetery to practice a mock line of duty funeral.

There is a small fee of $185.00 per student to support the costs of hosting the seminar.  Each student will receive a copy of our Honor Guard SOP’s.  We have been told our is one of the best written LE Honor Guard manuals most have ever seen.  We also will have a barbeque dinner on the first night which is included in the registration fee.

The class size is limited to forty-eight students and is on a first come first serve basis.  This class generally fills up in less than two months.  We are limiting the enrollment to four students per agency.  Preference will be given to out of state agencies and first time attendees.  Once we receive your registration form and payment I will send you an e-mail confirming your team members are enrolled.

Download the registration form here, or contact Lt. Ken Baine for more information:

Lieutenant Ken Baine
Fairfax County Police Department Honor Guard Commander
3911 Woodburn Road
Annandale, Virginia  22003
703-449-7289
kenneth.baine@fairfaxcounty.gov

October 2012 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1st, 2012

Fairfax, Va. - Eleven law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in October 2012, two fewer than were killed in September, but the fourth month in a row with double-digit deaths. In total, 101 law enforcement officers have fallen in the line of duty since January 1st, 2012.

Most notably, in October 2012:

• Eleven (11) law enforcement officers (LEOs) were killed, compared to seven in October 2011
• Two LEOs were shot and killed, including one in a case of mistaken identity
• Five LEOs were killed in vehicle collisions
• One LEO was beaten to death
• One LEO was fatally stabbed
• One LEO died in a training accident
• One LEO died of a heart attack

Details on every line of duty death in 2012 can be obtained at http://www.ODMP.org/search/year/2012

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material or media reports. Please cite ODMP.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in 2012 YTD

Not displayed: Washington, DC, had one (1) death; Puerto Rico had four (4) deaths; Virgin Islands had one (1) death.

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, 2012 vs 2011 YTD

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in 2012 YTD

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths. Accurate as of November 1, 2012.


About the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to remembering all fallen law enforcement officers by creating permanent online memorials, providing instant line of duty death notifications, and keeping cop-killers behind bars through its popular No Parole for Cop Killers initiative. With over 4-million unique visitors and 40-million page views annually, it is one of the most visited law enforcement web sites, and is referenced daily by law enforcement officers, leaders, and supporters nationwide. For more information, visit www.ODMP.org.


About the Crime Museum
The Crime Museum opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to educate and provide guests memorable insight into our Nation’s history of crime and judicial system. The museum examines law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime. The museum is filled with over 100 interactives and highlights a fundamental commitment to capture the audience through an entertaining and educational experience. The Crime Museum is located on 7th Street NW between E and F Streets in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Arena exit). Learn more at www.crimemuseum.org.

September 2012 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1st, 2012

Fairfax, Va. - Thirteen law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in September 2012, the third month in a row with double-digit deaths. In total, 89 law enforcement officers have fallen in the line of duty since January 1st, 2012.

Most notably, in August 2012:

• Thirteen (13) law enforcement officers (LEOs) were killed, compared to 10 in September 2011
• Four LEOs were shot and killed
• Six LEOs were killed in vehicle collisions
• Two LEOs suffered fatal heart attacks
• One LEO was fatally stabbed
• One female LEO was murdered in the line of duty
• September is the first month in 2012 to have more deaths than the same month in 2011

Details on every line of duty death in 2012 can be obtained at http://www.ODMP.org/search/year/2012

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material or media reports. Please cite ODMP.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in 2012 YTD

Not displayed: Washington, DC, had one (1) death; Puerto Rico had four (4) deaths; Virgin Islands had one (1) death.

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, 2012 vs 2011 YTD

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in 2012 YTD

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths. Accurate as of October 1, 2012.


About the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to remembering all fallen law enforcement officers by creating permanent online memorials, providing instant line of duty death notifications, and keeping cop-killers behind bars through its popular No Parole for Cop Killers initiative. With over 4-million unique visitors and 40-million page views annually, it is one of the most visited law enforcement web sites, and is referenced daily by law enforcement officers, leaders, and supporters nationwide. For more information, visit www.ODMP.org.


About the Crime Museum
The Crime Museum opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to educate and provide guests memorable insight into our Nation’s history of crime and judicial system. The museum examines law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime. The museum is filled with over 100 interactives and highlights a fundamental commitment to capture the audience through an entertaining and educational experience. The Crime Museum is located on 7th Street NW between E and F Streets in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Arena exit). Learn more at www.crimemuseum.org.

Protecting the President: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Protecting the president is no small task. It takes tens of thousands of law enforcement officers and billions of dollars each year to ensure any president's safety.

The Secret Service is the elite agency tasked with the mission of presidential protection, but they couldn't succeed in that mission without the critical assistance of officers from local, state, and other federal agencies across the country. From providing motorcade escorts, traffic control, aerial support, and inaugural security, these officers step up to ensure nothing happens to the president in their towns.

And because of that fact, local, state, and federal officers are put in harms way. Nineteen law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty while assigned to presidential protection details or by offenders who planned to harm the president.

Officer Leslie Coffelt

One of the most widely known cases was the 1950 murder of Officer Leslie Coffelt, who served with the White House Police Force (the predecessor to today's Secret Service Uniformed Division). Officer Coffelt was shot and killed during a daring raid on the Blair House by Puerto Rican nationalists who were attempting to assassinate President Truman. Despite being mortally wounded himself, Officer Coffelt was able to return fire, killing one of the would-be assassins and effectively stopping the attack.

Officer Neal Ramsburg

A much lesser known assassination attempt that resulted in the murder of a police officer occurred on February 22, 1974, when a man attempted to hijack a plane at BWI Airport with the intent of flying it into the White House to kill President Nixon. Airport Police Officer Neal Ramsburg was fatally shot by the man as he attempted to stop the hijacking. Another police officer shot and wounded the suspect, who then committed suicide.

Incidents such as the Blair House attack and attempted hijacking are the exception, rather than the rule. The majority of officers who have fallen on presidential protective details have been killed in accidental situations: Motorcycle accidents, vehicle crashes, heart attacks, etc. And most weren't even Secret Service agents or officers. Of the 19 LEOs who have been killed, only six served with the Secret Service or White House Police Force.

We salute all the brave men and women who sacrifice so much to ensure our nation's presidents are always safe. We especially honor these 19 men who gave their lives doing so:

Operative William Craig	1902-09-03	Vehicle collision	T. Roosevelt
United States Department of the Treasury - Secret Service, US
City Marshal R. S. St. Clair	1917-12-21	Gunfire	W. Wilson
Malden Police Department, MO
Captain Edward J. Masterson	1922-07-04	Fall	W. Harding
Marion City Police Department, OH
Officer Edward Baerwald	1928-08-15	Fall	C. Coolidge
Wausau Police Department, WI
Officer William Flack	1928-11-01	Motorcycle accident	A. Smith *
Kearny Police Department, NJ
Inspector Phillip C. Via	1929-01-11	Motorcycle accident	C. Coolidge
Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles - Enforcement Division, VA
Operative James A. Hollinger	1936-07-26	Heart attack	F. Roosevelt
United States Department of the Treasury - Secret Service, US
Operative August Adolph "Gus" Gennerich	1936-12-01	Heart attack	F. Roosevelt
United States Department of the Treasury - Secret Service, US
Officer Leslie William Coffelt	1950-11-01	Gunfire	H. Truman
White House Police Force, US
Special Agent Thomas B. Shipman	1963-10-14	Heart attack	J. Kennedy
United States Department of the Treasury - Secret Service, US
Officer J. D. Tippit	1963-11-22	Gunfire	J. Kennedy
Dallas Police Department, TX
Special Agent J. Clifford Dietrich	1973-05-26	Aircraft accident	R. Nixon
United States Department of the Treasury - Secret Service, US
Officer George Neal Ramsburg	1974-02-22	Gunfire	R. Nixon
Maryland Aviation Administration Police Department, MD
Deputy Kevin D. Mathews	1992-03-06	Motorcycle accident	P. Tsongas *
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, FL
Criminal Investigator Manuel Zurita VII	1998-01-06	Boating accident	W. Clinton
United States Department of the Treasury - Customs Service - Office of Investigations, US
Detective John Michael Gibson	1998-07-24	Gunfire	W. Clinton
United States Capitol Police, US
Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut	1998-07-24	Gunfire	W. Clinton
United States Capitol Police, US
Officer Steve Bastidas Favela	2006-11-26	Motorcycle accident	G.W. Bush
Honolulu Police Department, HI
Officer Germaine Casey	2007-08-27	Motorcycle accident	G.W. Bush
Rio Rancho Police Department, NM
Senior Corporal Victor Antonio Lozada Sr.	2008-02-22	Motorcycle accident	H. Clinton *
Dallas Police Department, TX
Police Officer Bruce St. Laurent	2012-09-09	Motorcycle accident	B. Obama
Jupiter Police Department, FL

* Presidential candidate

Editor's note: This article was originally published on the ODMP Blog on November 5, 2010. It was updated on September 10, 2012, following the death of Police Officer Bruce St. Laurent, of the Jupiter (Florida) Police Department.

August 2012 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4th, 2012

Fairfax, Va. - Fourteen law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in August 2012, marking the second most deadly month of the year. In total, 76 law enforcement officers have fallen in the line of duty since January 1st, 2012.

Most notably, in August 2012:

• Fourteen (14) law enforcement officers (LEOs) were killed, compared to 15 in August 2011
• Nine LEOs were shot and killed, the most in any single month in 2012
• Two LEOs were killed in vehicle collisions
• Two LEOs suffered fatal heart attacks
• One LEO was killed in an airplane crash
• There were two multiple-fatality incidents in which a total of four LEOs were slain

Details on every line of duty death in 2012 can be obtained at http://www.ODMP.org/search/year/2012

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material or media reports. Please cite ODMP.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in 2012 YTD

Not displayed: Washington, DC, had one (1) death; Puerto Rico had four (4) deaths

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, 2012 vs 2011 YTD

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in 2012 YTD

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths. Accurate as of September 4, 2012.


About the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to remembering all fallen law enforcement officers by creating permanent online memorials, providing instant line of duty death notifications, and keeping cop-killers behind bars through its popular No Parole for Cop Killers initiative. With over 4-million unique visitors and 40-million page views annually, it is one of the most visited law enforcement web sites, and is referenced daily by law enforcement officers, leaders, and supporters nationwide. For more information, visit www.ODMP.org.


About the Crime Museum
The Crime Museum opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to educate and provide guests memorable insight into our Nation’s history of crime and judicial system. The museum examines law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime. The museum is filled with over 100 interactives and highlights a fundamental commitment to capture the audience through an entertaining and educational experience. The Crime Museum is located on 7th Street NW between E and F Streets in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Arena exit). Learn more at www.crimemuseum.org.

July 2012 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1st, 2012

Fairfax, Va. - For the first time since January, line of duty deaths in the United States reached double-digits, with a total of 13 fatalities. As of July 31st, 62 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty, a 48% reduction over the number of line of duty deaths at the same time last year.

Most notably, in July 2012:

• Thirteen (13) law enforcement officers (LEOs) were killed, compared to 16 in July 2011
• Two LEOs were shot and killed
• Eleven LEOs were killed in vehicle collisions
• One female officer was killed in the line of duty
• Texas became the state with the most line of duty deaths this year, with a total of six

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material or media reports. Please cite ODMP.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in 2012 YTD

Not displayed: Washington, DC, had one (1) death; Puerto Rico had three (3) deaths

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, 2012 vs 2011 YTD

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in 2012 YTD

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths. Accurate as of August 1, 2012.


About the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to remembering all fallen law enforcement officers by creating permanent online memorials, providing instant line of duty death notifications, and keeping cop-killers behind bars through its popular No Parole for Cop Killers initiative. With over 4-million unique visitors and 40-million page views annually, it is one of the most visited law enforcement web sites, and is referenced daily by law enforcement officers, leaders, and supporters nationwide. For more information, visit www.ODMP.org.


About the Crime Museum
The Crime Museum opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to educate and provide guests memorable insight into our Nation’s history of crime and judicial system. The museum examines law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime. The museum is filled with over 100 interactives and highlights a fundamental commitment to capture the audience through an entertaining and educational experience. The Crime Museum is located on 7th Street NW between E and F Streets in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Arena exit). Learn more at www.crimemuseum.org.

June 201 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2012

Fairfax, Va. - For the fifth consecutive month, law enforcement line of duty deaths remained in the single digits with only eight officers being killed in the line of duty in June 2012. Including these eight fallen officers, a total of 49 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2012, which lines the year up to be the least deadly for law enforcement since WWII.

Most notably, in June 2012:

• Eight law enforcement officers (LEOs) were killed, compared to 16 in June 2011
• Three LEOs were shot and killed
• Four LEOs were killed by vehicle collisions
• One LEO was killed in a fall
• One female officer was killed in the line of duty

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material or media reports. Please cite ODMP.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in 2012 YTD

Not displayed: Washington, DC, had one (1) death; Puerto Rico had three (3) deaths

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, 2012 vs 2011 YTD

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in 2012 YTD

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths. Accurate as of July 2, 2012.


About the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to remembering all fallen law enforcement officers by creating permanent online memorials, providing instant line of duty death notifications, and keeping cop-killers behind bars through its popular No Parole for Cop Killers initiative. With over 4-million unique visitors and 40-million page views annually, it is one of the most visited law enforcement web sites, and is referenced daily by law enforcement officers, leaders, and supporters nationwide. For more information, visit www.ODMP.org.


About the Crime Museum
The Crime Museum opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to educate and provide guests memorable insight into our Nation’s history of crime and judicial system. The museum examines law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime. The museum is filled with over 100 interactives and highlights a fundamental commitment to capture the audience through an entertaining and educational experience. The Crime Museum is located on 7th Street NW between E and F Streets in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Arena exit). Learn more at www.crimemuseum.org.

May 2012 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2012

Fairfax, Va. - Six law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States in May 2012, two fatalities fewer than the previous month. A total of 41 officers have been killed so far in 2012, with the leading cause of death being vehicle collisions.

Most notably, in May 2012:

• Six law enforcement officers (LEOs) were killed, compared to 16 in April 2011
• Two LEOs were shot and killed
• Four LEOs were killed by vehicle collisions
• One female officer was killed in the line of duty

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material or media reports. Please cite ODMP.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in 2012 YTD

Not displayed: Washington, DC, had one (1) death; Puerto Rico had two (2) deaths

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, 2012 vs 2011 YTD

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in 2012 YTD

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths. Accurate as of June 1, 2012.


About the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to remembering all fallen law enforcement officers by creating permanent online memorials, providing instant line of duty death notifications, and keeping cop-killers behind bars through its popular No Parole for Cop Killers initiative. With over 4-million unique visitors and 40-million page views annually, it is one of the most visited law enforcement web sites, and is referenced daily by law enforcement officers, leaders, and supporters nationwide. For more information, visit www.ODMP.org.


About the Crime Museum
The Crime Museum opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to educate and provide guests memorable insight into our Nation’s history of crime and judicial system. The museum examines law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime. The museum is filled with over 100 interactives and highlights a fundamental commitment to capture the audience through an entertaining and educational experience. The Crime Museum is located on 7th Street NW between E and F Streets in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Arena exit). Learn more at www.crimemuseum.org.

April 2012 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2012

Fairfax, Va. - Seven law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States in April 2012. Although this is a slight increase over the five line of duty deaths in March, 2012 is still the safest year for law enforcement officers since WWII.

Most notably, in April 2012:

• Seven (7) law enforcement officers (LEOs) were killed, compared to 11 in April 2011
• Three LEOs were shot and killed
• Three LEOs were killed in vehicle collisions, including one motorcycle crash
• One LEO was killed by falling from a ladder while on duty
• The New England region suffered three line of duty deaths

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material or media reports. Please cite ODMP.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in 2012 YTD

Not displayed: Washington, DC, had one (1) death; Puerto Rico had two (2) deaths

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, 2012 vs 2011 YTD

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in 2012 YTD

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths. Accurate as of May 1, 2012.


About the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to remembering all fallen law enforcement officers by creating permanent online memorials, providing instant line of duty death notifications, and keeping cop-killers behind bars through its popular No Parole for Cop Killers initiative. With over 4-million unique visitors and 40-million page views annually, it is one of the most visited law enforcement web sites, and is referenced daily by law enforcement officers, leaders, and supporters nationwide. For more information, visit www.ODMP.org.


About the Crime Museum
The Crime Museum opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to educate and provide guests memorable insight into our Nation’s history of crime and judicial system. The museum examines law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime. The museum is filled with over 100 interactives and highlights a fundamental commitment to capture the audience through an entertaining and educational experience. The Crime Museum is located on 7th Street NW between E and F Streets in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Arena exit). Learn more at www.crimemuseum.org.

March 2012 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2012

Fairfax, Va.- March 2012 experienced a 77% drop in law enforcement line of duty deaths compared to March 2011. So far in 2012, there have been only 25 law enforcement deaths nationwide, putting this year on track to be one of the safest years in law enforcement since the 1940s. Compared to the same time period in 2011, 2012 has seen 29 fewer law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty; a reduction of over 50%.

As in February, the two main contributors to these drastically low numbers are the near absence of vehicular deaths and gunfire deaths, and no single incidents in which multiple line of duty deaths occurred.

Detailed information about each law enforcement fatality can be obtained on the Officer Down Memorial Page at http://www.ODMP.org

Most notably, in March 2012:

• Only five (5) law enforcement officers (LEOs) were killed, compared to 22 in February 2011
• Two female LEOs were killed in the line of duty
• One LEO was was shot and killed
• One LEO was stabbed to death
• Three LEOs were killed in vehicle collisions
• Florida suffered the most line of duty deaths in March, with two different officers being killed feloniously

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material or media reports. Please cite ODMP.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in 2012 YTD

Not displayed: Puerto Rico had two (2) deaths

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, Jan - Mar 2012 vs Jan - Mar 2011

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in 2012 YTD

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths. Accurate as of April 1, 2012.


About the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to remembering all fallen law enforcement officers by creating permanent online memorials, providing instant line of duty death notifications, and keeping cop-killers behind bars through its popular No Parole for Cop Killers initiative. With over 4-million unique visitors and 40-million page views annually, it is one of the most visited law enforcement web sites, and is referenced daily by law enforcement officers, leaders, and supporters nationwide. For more information, visit www.ODMP.org.


About the Crime Museum
The Crime Museum opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to educate and provide guests memorable insight into our Nation’s history of crime and judicial system. The museum examines law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime. The museum is filled with over 100 interactives and highlights a fundamental commitment to capture the audience through an entertaining and educational experience. The Crime Museum is located on 7th Street NW between E and F Streets in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Arena exit). Learn more at www.crimemuseum.org.

February 2012 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

Fairfax, Va.- With only five fatalities, February 2012 saw a 64% decrease in line of duty deaths compared to February 2011. For the first two months of the year, compared to the same time period last year, there has been a 39% decrease in line of duty deaths.

The two main contributors to this dramatic drop is the exceptionally low numbers of both gunfire and vehicle collision deaths. Additionally, there have been no single incidents in which multiple officers were killed this year.

Detailed information about each law enforcement fatality can be obtained on the Officer Down Memorial Page at http://www.ODMP.org

Most notably, in February 2012:

• Only five (5) law enforcement officers were killed, compared to 14 in February 2011
• The last time five or fewer officers were killed in a single month was November 2008, when four officers were killed
• One officer was stabbed to death
• Alabama suffered two line of duty deaths in two separate incidents

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material or media reports. Please cite ODMP.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in 2012 YTD

Not displayed: Puerto Rico had two (2) deaths

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, Jan & Feb 2012 vs Jan & Feb 2011

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in 2012 YTD

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths. Accurate as of March 1, 2012.

Crime Museum Partners With the Officer Down Memorial Page

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 15, 2012

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Brotman•Winter•Fried Communications

Lisa Marie Czop

(703) 533-4837 or [email protected]

Crime Museum Partners With the Officer Down Memorial Page

Washington, DC – Today, the Crime Museum announced a new partnership with the Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. (ODMP), as a new endeavor to honor our nation’s fallen heroes while offering new insight to the public on police statistics.

The Crime Museum and ODMP will collaborate to paint a picture of the danger that law enforcement officers face placing their lives on the line to solve and prevent crime. Starting in March 2012, ODMP will provide the museum with up-to-date police statistics, which will be released in a monthly report for the general public—increasing awareness of police activity and current developments. Data will highlight police death count and officers killed in the line of duty.

"Our partnership with the Officer Down Memorial Page is another exciting way for our museum to serve as an educational resource to the community,” stated Janine Vaccarello, COO of the Crime Museum. “We continue to search for new ways to educate and entertain the public on all things related to law enforcement and crime, and we believe that this relationship with ODMP will help us better complete that mission.”

In tandem with the monthly release of statistics, ODMP is also scheduled to launch a permanent exhibit within the museum in Summer 2012. The exhibit, located in the Fallen Heroes wing of the museum, will include a computer kiosk in which you can look up fallen officers.

"Our partnership with the National Museum of Crime and Punishment is an exciting opportunity for ODMP to integrate the latest Internet technologies into an interactive museum setting,” states ODMP Executive Director Chris Cosgriff. “Our exhibit will educate the general public and future law enforcement officers to the amazing, and all too often tragic, sacrifice that law enforcement officers of all types make on a daily basis. By telling the stories of these fallen heroes, we are preserving their memories and ensuring they live forever."

To view the monthly statistics, visit http://www.odmp.org/reports

About the Crime Museum
The Crime Museum opened its doors in 2008 with a mission to educate and provide guests memorable insight into our Nation’s history of crime and judicial system. The museum examines law enforcement, forensic science, crime scene investigation (CSI) and the consequences of committing a crime. The museum is filled with over 100 interactives and highlights a fundamental commitment to capture the audience through an entertaining and educational experience. The Crime Museum is located on 7th Street NW between E and F Streets in downtown Washington, D.C. at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro (Arena exit). Learn more at www.crimemuseum.org.

About the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP)
ODMP is a non-profit organization dedicated to remembering all fallen law enforcement officers by creating permanent online memorials, providing instant line of duty death notifications, and keeping cop-killers behind bars through its popular No Parole for Cop Killers initiative. With over 4-million unique visitors and 40-million page views annually, it is one of the most visited law enforcement web sites, and is referenced daily by law enforcement officers, leaders, and supporters nationwide. For more information, visit www.ODMP.org.

###

January 2012 Law Enforcement Fatality Report

Fairfax, Va.- January 2012 saw a 17% decrease in line of duty deaths compared to the same period in 2011. However, with only one month of data, it is impossible to determine how this trend will hold for the remainder of the year.

Most notably, during this time period:

• There were 15 law enforcement officer (LEO) deaths
• Gunfire deaths dropped 30%
• Two LEOs were stabbed to death
• Four fatalities, or 30% of the total, were female LEOs
• Puerto Rico had the most deaths, with two fatalities

The following charts are provided for reference and can be incorporated into any law enforcement training material, provided that ODMP is cited as the source.

Law Enforcement Deaths by State in January 2012

Not displayed: Puerto Rico had two (2) deaths

Comparison of Law Enforcement Deaths, January 2011 vs January 2012

Causes of Law Enforcement Deaths in January 2012

The data provided in this report is preliminary and subject to change based on final determinations of line of duty deaths.

Law Enforcement Safe Driving Symposium

Chris Cosgriff, ODMP's founder and executive director, will be participating in the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's Law Enforcement Safe Driving Symposium on February 9th and February 10th, 2012. Over the past 15 years, traffic related fatalities have been the leading single cause of law enforcement deaths. The purpose of this symposium is for leaders throughout law enforcement to address this major issue and turn this upward trend around.

Recommendations and findings that come out of this symposium will be made available to ODMP's visitors with the goal of reducing these preventable deaths.

Here is some more information about the symposium from our friends at FLETC's Driver and Marine Division:

On February 9th and 10th, the Driver/Marine Division (DMD) will host a lessons learned committee and will conduct presentations for Federal Law Enforcement Training Center staff, students and law enforcement professionals. On day one, the presentations will focus on law enforcement officer fatal motor vehicle crashes. During the past 13-years, motor vehicle crashes have been the leading cause of law enforcement officer deaths. In 2011, law enforcement officer deaths totaled 63 by gunfire and 58 by motor vehicle crashes. The first day presentations will focus on distracted driving and poor decision making as major contributing factors of law enforcement motor vehicle crashes. The presenters will discuss changes in driver training that have been made at FLETC and around the country to address the law enforcement officer fatalities.

The following day, the Driver and Marine Division will host a round table discussion and lessons learned symposium consisting of law enforcement executives and other professionals. The topic of conversation will be law enforcement distracted driving, the role of the administrator, training and awareness and how to address the growing problem of law enforcement motor vehicle crashes that result in injuries and/or fatalities. FLETC’s current training curriculum will be discussed, including the role of simulators in driver training. The main objective of this meeting will be the methods to better educate officers, agents and police administration on the serious issue of law enforcement distracted driving, reducing collisions and saving the lives of law enforcement personnel nationally.

In attendance will be several nationally recognized experts in the field of law enforcement driving, all of which are vocal advocates for the need to continually modify law enforcement driver training, in a constant effort to reduce the number of law enforcement related motor vehicle crashes. Among those attending will be:

Detective Kevin Navarro of the Dallas Police Department is also presently affiliated with A.L.E.R.T. International Standards and Training and serves as the Treasurer of that organization. Detective Navarro has been a highly successful law enforcement trainer for 13 years at the Dallas Police Academy where he develops curriculum and provides advanced instruction in topical areas including interviewing and interrogation, use of force, and general principles of criminal investigation. Detective Navarro is also a subject matter expert in the area of law enforcement driving.

Other executives and representatives from various public safety agencies will also attend.

Park Rangers: The Unsung Heroes of American Law Enforcement

Park Ranger
Margaret Anderson

With Sunday's heinous murder of Park Ranger Margaret Anderson at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, the dangers park rangers and park police officers face has been thrust into the national spotlight. Any police officer will tell you that parks have just as much crime as cities, but citizens are often oblivious to this fact.

The past 12 months have been an extremely sad time for law enforcement officers nationwide. It has been especially so for the extraordinary men and women whose mission is to keep safe all of America's national parks and the citizens who visit them.

Since its founding in 1916, the National Park Service has lost a total of 40 law enforcement officers in the line of duty in its two distinct agencies: The National Park Service (NPS) and the United States Park Police (USPP). Almost half those total deaths (17 of the 40) have occurred since 1990, and, tragically, 10% of the total deaths have happened in the past 12 months alone with four park LEOs being killed in the line of duty:

Sergeant Michael Boehm

• On January 29, 2011, Park Ranger Chris Nickel (NPS) died while on a backcountry patrol in Hovenweep National Monument, Utah
• On February 24, 2011, Park Ranger Julie Weir (NPS) was killed in an automobile accident in Nebraska while on official travel from Independence National Historic Park, Pennsylvania, to Yosemite National Park, California
• On December 16, 2011, Sergeant Michael Boehm (USPP) suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to assist a man who had jumped from a bridge in Washington, DC.
• On January 1, 2012, Park Ranger Margaret Anderson (NPS) was shot and killed while attempting to stop a vehicle in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington.

The remote locations and ruggedness of many national parks put park rangers at a unique disadvantage when they encounter danger. Assuming they even have communications with dispatchers, their backup may be hours or even days away if they get injured or wounded.

Park Ranger
Randy Morgenson

In July 1996 Park Ranger Randy Morgenson, a 27-year veteran of the NPS, went out on a backcountry patrol in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, California. When he failed to return from the patrol a search was initiated, but he could not be located. It wasn't until July 2001 -- five years later -- that his body was finally located. Ranger Morgenson had suffered severe injuries after falling through a snow drift, and subsequently died without being able to notify others of his injury or location.

Not all dangers faced by park LEOs occur in rural areas, however. The United States Park Police are tasked with protecting national parks and monuments located in and around the urban areas of Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York City, and San Francisco. In a unique jurisdictional setup, the USPP don't only protect the parkland in Washington, DC, but share concurrent jurisdiction throughout the entire city. In fact, the very first park LEO killed in the line of duty was a member of the USPP. On November 12, 1923, Officer William Allen was electrocuted when he picked up a radio wire that was being installed on a home in Washington, DC, illegally.

The next time you visit a national park and encounter a park ranger or park police officer, be sure to thank them for keeping you safe. As seen in recent times, these park-based crime fighters have suffered more than their fare share of danger.

Author's note: This article addresses the dangers faced by law enforcement officers of the National Park Service and the United States Park Police. A follow up article will be written in the future highlighting the service and sacrifice suffered by local, state, and other federal parks / recreation law enforcement agencies.