Following on the heels of two very deadly months, October seemed relatively peaceful with only seven line of duty deaths. Each of those, however, marked the End of Watch for an individual who dedicated his life to public safety, and so we all suffer a loss with the passing of each of these heroes.
Of the seven line of duty deaths in October, three were the result of automobile accidents, three were the result of gunfire, and one was the result of a duty-related illness.
Although we can take solace in the fact that line of duty deaths are down 5% from this point last year, and even more in the fact that gunfire line of duty deaths are down 20%, it is important to point out that auto-related deaths -- which are often preventable -- are up 5% in 2015. Addressing this critical issue could potentially save many lives.
The Officer Down Memorial Page extends our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and agencies who lost a loved one in October 2015, and asks that you take a moment to read their memorials and remember their service.
Cherokee Indian Police Department, Tribal Police
Aitkin County Sheriff's Office, MN
New York City Police Department, NY
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Dept, TN
Bell County Constable's Office - Precinct 3, TX
Albuquerque Police Department, NM
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, TX