Police Officer Line of Duty Deaths Decreased

An 11-percent decrease in line-of-duty deaths in 2005 compared to the same time last year can be partly attributed to increased use of bullet-resistant vests, say two law enforcement groups.

In the first half of 2005, 70 police officers died on the job, compared to 79 officers in the first half of last year.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) say that bullet-resistant vests have helped reduce the number of fatal officer shootings by 36 percent over the past 30 years.

Officers deaths from automobile accidents have increased over the last three decades, however.

NLEOMF and COPS urge officers to wear bullet-resistant vests and take driver’s training courses to continue the downward trend in officer fatalities.

For more information on the report visit www.nleomf.com.