With a third of the year complete, 2019 is shaping up to be the least deadly for police officers since 1965 – prompting one of America’s top law enforcement groups to say it’s holding its breath “hoping [that] the trend continues.”

The striking statistic, based on data from the Officer Down Memorial Page, comes amid a particularly tough week for law enforcement.

Four officers have died in the line of duty over the last seven days, bringing the total line of duty deaths for 2019 up to 40. The last time the overall number was at 40 on this day was 54 years ago -- in 1965 -- according to ODMP statistics. In 2018, there were already 63 officers who had died in the line of duty by May 10.

“We are holding our breaths and hoping the trend continues,” Jim Pasco, the executive director of the National Fraternal Order of Police, told Fox News. “We are watching as closely as anybody.”