Volume 6
July-Aug 2016 Edition
Deadly Ambush Attacks Against Cops Have Increased Dramatically This Year
By Emily Shapiro , ABC News
The number of law enforcement officers killed in ambush-style attacks has increased dramatically this year , according to a report issued today by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund , a finding its spokesperson called “ especially troubling .”
Sixty-seven law enforcement officers died in the line of duty this year as of July 20 — a small increase from 62 deaths in the same period last year , according to the report . But of this year ’ s 67 deaths , 32 were firearms-related — which is a 78 percent spike from last year , when 18 deaths were firearms-related .
And of this year ’ s 32 firearms-related deaths , almost half — 14 — were the result of eight ambushstyle attacks against unsuspecting officers , according to the report . At this time last year there had been just three ambush deaths .
Forty-six officers were killed as a result of a criminal act so far this year , the report said — double last year ’ s number of 23 . The criminal-related deaths this year were from shootings , traffic-related inci-
A police officer bows his head during the funeral for Dallas Police Sr . Lorne Ahrens at Baptist Church in Plano , Texas , July 13 , 2016 . ( Image : LM Otero / AP Photo )
dents , a beating , and an officer who died from illness contracted from 9 / 11 rescue and recovery work .
Texas has had the most officer fatalities with 13 , followed by Louisiana with seven , in the wake of deadly , targeted attacks on officers in Dallas , Texas , and Baton Rouge , Louisiana , this month .
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