Line of Duty Deaths: Official Count

Each year, the Officer Down Memorial Page pays tribute to each law enforcement officer who dies in the line of duty in the United States. 

However, we are often asked why there are variations in the numbers of line of duty deaths (LODDs) recognized by different organizations and when the official list of LODDs from the previous year is made public.  There are several factors that contribute to statistical differences and one important point to keep in mind about "Official" line of duty deaths.

The most important point about line of duty death numbers is that ALL cases are considered preliminary by ALL organizations until Police Week, which takes place each year in May.  
 
There are additions to and removals from all memorials based on final reviews and late submissions.  The official numbers for the previous year are released during Police Week.

In addition, each organization the recognizes and tracks line of duty deaths has slightly difference inclusion criteria.  The ODMP strives to honor all fallen law enforcement officers and our criteria for inclusion can be found here:

Criteria for Inclusion, ODMP

Other organizations, including the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the Department of Justice Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program have their own conditions and review processes.  They can be found here:

NLEOMF

PSOB

Most of the differences in the official Line of Duty Deaths counted by each organization are due to heart attack related deaths, 9/11-illness related deaths, or deaths that result from previously sustained wounds or injuries, all of which require medical review.

For twenty years now, ODMP has honored the fallen and we will continue to do so for as long as we are able.  It is the goal and hope of the Officer Down Memorial Page that each name we add will be the last, but until that day comes, we strive to do our best to include every officer who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in the line of duty.

Cop Killers Up For Parole

On Mother's Day, May 12, 1991, retired NYC Police Detective Jerry DeMarco was murdered during an attempted robbery at a florist shop in Staten Island, NY.  Detective DeMarco died protecting the people in that shop, including his wife, Laura.  He left behind two young children, ages 3 and 5 at the time of their father's murder.

Last October, one of the men convicted for Detective DeMarco's murder became eligible for parole.  Thanks in part to the efforts of ODMP supporters who sent in letters asking to DENY PAROLE, this murderer remains behind bars.

The remaining two inmates responsible for Detective DeMarco's murder are up for parole this month:

Steven Morales DIN # 93A5606

Roberto Gonzalez  DIN # 94A0827

Please take a moment once again and send letters asking that these cop killers are kept behind bars.

Below you'll find a sample letter that you can copy, print, and send, or feel free to write your own.

To Whom It May Concern,

I respectfully ask that you DENY PAROLE to {INSERT INMATE NAME AND NUMBER}.

This inmate murdered retired NYC Police Detective Jerry DeMarco on Mother's Day, May 12, 1991.  Detective DeMarco was shot and killed while protecting customers, including his wife, during an attempted robbery in a florist shop in Staten Island, NY.  He left behind two young children, ages 3 and 5 at the time of their father's murder.

This inmate's violent behavior should preclude any consideration for parole.

As a concerned citizen and in the interest of public safety, I again respectfully ask that you DENY PAROLE to inmate # 94A0827. Justice demands that he be made to spend every remaining day of his full sentence in prison.

Sincerely,

Letters are due by 15 March 2016 and can be sent to the following address:

Harriman State Campus

1220 Washington Ave

Albany NY 12226

Attn: Office of Victim Services

Officer Down Memorial Page: End of Watch Report January 2016

January 2016 gratefully did not see many line of duty deaths, with three officers making the ultimate sacrifice this month.  Each of these officers, however, swore to protect and serve the citizens of the United States and dedicated their lives to that task.  We owe them a debt of gratitude.

The Officer Down Memorial Page extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and agencies who lost a loved one in January 2016.

Police Officer Thomas W. Cottrell, Jr.
Danville Police Department, OH

Police Officer Douglas Scott Barney II
Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, UT

Correctional Officer Adam Conrad
Marion County Sheriff's Office, IL