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.