Last year was one of the most deadly for active-duty law enforcement for nearly a century. COVID-19 was identifie as the leading cause of death for the second consecutive year.
According to a preliminary report by the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum, 458 federal, state, tribal, and local officers were killed in the line of duty in 2021. This is 55% more than the 295 deaths in the previous year and the highest number since 1930.
The report states that “this year’s statistics show that America’s top-line law enforcement officers continue fighting the deadly effects of Covid-19 pandemic throughout the country.” “Preliminary data suggests that approximately 301 officers have died from Covid in this year’s epidemic. This number seems to be increasing almost daily.”
Officer deaths due to COVID-19 are on the rise and will continue to increase
Last year, COVID-19-related deaths — there were 301 — were the leading cause of death. They were also the leading cause in 2020 when at most 182 officers were kill by the virus. This is an increase of 65% within a single year.
The report includes a map showing that COVID-19-related officer fatalities were found in 32 states, with the highest concentrations in California and Southern States, including Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
“It was reporte to NLEOMF by the officers that they died from direct exposure.
Officer deaths due to COVID-19 are on the rise and will continue to increase
There were 301 COVID-19-related deaths. were also the leading cause of death last year’s year, just like they were in 2020 when at least 182 officers were killed by the virus. This is an increase of 65% within a single year.
The report includes a map showing that COVID-19-related officer fatalities were found in 32 states, with the highest concentrations in California and Southern States, including Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
According to the report, “It was reports to NLEOMF by these officers that they died from direct exposure to the virus while performing their official duties.”
Law enforcement groups have resisted vaccine mandates
The COVID-19 boosters and vaccines provide protection against severe illness or death, even if the highly transmissible Omicron variant is present.
However, police departments and unions in cities throughout the country — including New York City and Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle — have opposed mandates that require vaccinations for public employees. They have also filed lawsuits and threatened to resign.
Last year, traffic and firearm fatalities increased.
Firearms were second in the death toll, with 61 officers being killed by firearms in 2021. This is a 36% increase over the previous year. The report also states that 19 of those officers died in an “ambush attack” which is a significant increase.