FBI report finds fewer officers killed in line of duty, but more attacked

An FBI report released Tuesday revealed that fewer law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty last year, but the number of attacks on officers has risen.

The report, released during National Police Week, was based off of information gathered from law enforcement agencies nationwide.

There were 60 officers killed in the line of duty in 2023, the report said, one fewer than in 2022. But the total number officers killed in the line of duty in the past three years was higher than any other three year period in the past two decades. There were a total of 194 officers killed in the line of duty from 2021-2023.

More than half of the officers killed on duty were killed by gunshot wounds, the report states, and many more men were killed than women, with men making up 54 of the victims.

"While there has been a slow decline of officers feloniously killed in the line of duty over the past three years, a study of the data shows the rate of officers assaulted has increased each of the past three years," the bureau said in a press release.

The agencies reported at least 79,091 officers were attacked while on duty in 2023, which was the highest assault rate in the past 10 years. Most officers were injured when responding to assault reports against other people. But some officers were injured when responding to drug and narcotic violations. Over 450 officers were injured by a firearm. 

So far in 2024, 19 officers have been killed on duty as of April 29, and 21 have died from accidents while on duty, according to The Hill.