FBI Releases 2017 Statistics on Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted
ALBANY, NEW YORK - Attorney General Sessions and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York Grant C. Jaquith 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.
“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."
“For 29 years it has been my privilege to work closely with the men and women who serve as law enforcement officers in the Northern District of New York," said United States Attorney Jaquith. “I have seen first-hand their selfless service and daily dedication to safeguarding our communities, securing our rights and freedoms, solving crimes, and saving lives. With reverence and gratitude, we pay tribute to New York State Police Trooper Joel Davis, who was killed in Jefferson County in 2017, and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for public safety and security. And we honor the professionalism, vigilance, and courage of the blue line continuing to confront danger so the rest of us are protected. Police Week pays homage to these true public servants."
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 15 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, D.C., 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 p.m. EDT on May 13. To register for this free online event, visit www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.
One Northern District of New York officer was added this year: New York State Police Trooper Joel Davis.
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
