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.