Facts & Figures

A Look at Current Officer Fatalities

Preliminary Law Enforcement Fatalities as of May 22, 2013
	2012	2011	% Change
Total Fatalities:	44	36	+22%
Firearms-related:	15	16	-6%
Traffic-related:	16	12	+33%
Other Causes:	13	8	+63%
Please note: These numbers reflect total officer fatalities comparing May 22, 2013 to May 22, 2012.

2012 Fatalities

In 2012, traffic incidents were the leading cause of officer fatalities, as they have been for 14 of the last 15 years.

But at the same time, 2012 had the lowest number of law enforcement officers to die in traffic-related incidents since 1991 (with 43 fatalities).

Average Traffic Fatalities per Decade: 1962-2012

On average, traffic-related fatalities have increased 18 percent from 61 in the 1960s to 72 during the 10-year span of 2001-2010. Compared to the average number of fatalities per decade, 2012 was one of the safest years on record for law enforcement.