By Sarah Calams
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has released a shocking new report: 101 police officers have been shot in the line of duty as of April 1, including 17 fatally, so far in 2022.
This statistic, FOX13.com reported, is a 43% increase compared to officers shot during the same time frame last year. Moreover, it’s a 63% increase compared to the numbers in 2020.
“We are in the midst of a real crisis,” National FOP president Patrick Yoes said. “Last year was one of the most dangerous years for law enforcement, with more officers being shot in the line of duty since the National Fraternal Order of Police began recording this data.”
Yoes continued to say that the data indicates “we are outpacing last year’s numbers of officers shot and killed in the line of duty.”
“It is important to remember that when we look at these numbers, they represent people who are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters,” Yoes said.
The five states with the highest number of officers shot and killed in the line of duty this year are Arizona, Texas, New York, Georgia and Washington State.
“This violence is completely unacceptable,” Yoes said. “It is incumbent upon our elected officials and community leaders to stand up and speak out against the violence against law enforcement officers.”
Download the full report here or view it below.
WATCH: On-Demand Webinar: Police ambush prevention and response: Evolving risk assessment and tactics