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The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund issued its 2018 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities Report, revealing that 73 law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty so far in 2018. Of these 73 officers, 31 were killed in firearms-related incidents, compared to 25 in the same period in 2017—an increase of 24%.

The NLEOMF said also that 27 were killed in traffic-related incidents. Eleven of these fatalities were the result of multiple-vehicle automobile crashes. Nine were the result of single-vehicle crashes and seven officers were struck while outside of their vehicles.

Fifteen officers died of other causes, the majority of which were job-related illnesses. That's down 17% from the 18 deaths attributed to other causes during the same time period in 2017.

“Law enforcement officers put their badges on each day and work to keep citizens and communities safe," Memorial Fund CEO Craig Floyd said in a written statement. “With 73 officers having made the ultimate sacrifice already this year, this report serves as an important reminder of the debt of gratitude that we owe the 900,000 men and women who serve in law enforcement each day. It's important for our citizenry to protect America's peace officers with the same dedication and commitment they show each day in protecting us.”