FBI Releases 2017 Statistics on of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted
HAMMOND - Attorney General Sessions and U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II for the Northern District of Indiana recognized the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers on the occasion of National Police Week, and commented on the FBI's 2017 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana, works closely with law enforcement and community members to provide specialized training and initiatives to reduce violent crime. In honor of National Police Week, the Office will announce one such event, the 2018 Annual Law Enforcement conference conducted in partnership with the Southern District of Indiana U.S. Attorney’s Office. This yearly event provides specialized training to over 500 law enforcement officials throughout the State. In addition to major events as described, the office routinely coordinates smaller specialized courses such as the Valor Program’s Survive and Thrive training, which took place in April 2018 with over 120 officers in attendance throughout the State. U.S. Attorney Kirsch will also attend memorial services in LaPorte County on Friday, May 11, 2018 and in Munster, Indiana on Thursday, May 17, 2018 in honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“One officer death is too many," Attorney General Sessions said. “While we are inexpressibly grateful to have had a decrease in the number of officers killed in the line-of-duty last year, the number is still far too high. At the Department of Justice, we honor the memories of the fallen and we pray for their families. We are also following President Trump's Executive Orders to back the women and men in blue, to enhance law enforcement safety, and to reduce violent crime in America. Those priorities will help keep every American safe, including those who risk their lives for us. As always, we have their backs and they have our thanks."
“Law enforcement officers run toward conflict and gunfire to protect innocent lives in an environment where they are highly scrutinized on social media and in cell phone video clips," said U.S. Attorney Kirsch. “I have heard recent stories of police officers, during a typical traffic stop, being challenged on their authority when asking for a license and registration in the hopes that the individuals involved in the stop can be the next social media video hit. Acknowledgement of police officers for a job well done seems rare these days, and we cannot know what crimes are stopped by officers being visible. So on behalf of my Office, I want to personally thank every law enforcement officer and their families for their service, sacrifice and echo the Attorney General’s remarks that we have your back."
According to statistics collected by the FBI, 93 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2017 - a 21 percent decrease from 2016 when 118 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents.
Additionally, in 2017 there were 46 law enforcement officers killed in line-of-duty incidents as a result of felonious acts - this is a 30 percent decrease from 2016, when 66 law enforcement officer were killed in line-of-duty incidents as a result of felonious acts.
For the full comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing the fatal attacks and selected assaults resulting in injury, please see the 2017 edition of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, released today.
In October 1962, Congress passed and President Kennedy signed a joint resolution declaring May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. The resolution also created National Police Week as an annual tribute to law enforcement service and sacrifice.
During Police Week, which is observed from Sunday, May 13 to Saturday, May 19, 2018, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe.
The names of all 93 fallen officers nationwide will be formally dedicated on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, during the 30th Annual Candlelight Vigil on the evening of May 13, 2018. So that people across the country can experience this unique and powerful ceremony, the vigil will be livestreamed beginning at 8:00 p.m. EDT on May 13th. To register for this free online event, visit www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.
The Candlelight Vigil is one of many commemorative events taking place in the nation’s capital during National Police Week 2018.
For more information about other National Police Week events, please visit www.policeweek.org.
To access the FBI's 2017 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted report, please visit www.fbi.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
