Line-of-Duty Death (LODD)
Fallen law enforcement officers are honored at a ceremony in San Diego County, California
A full calendar of events were held from May 11-17; here are scenes from this year’s commemorative events
Read about a retired cop’s heroic final moments, a long awaited LODD recognition and more from this week’s news
A compelling look into the stark realities faced by rural police officers through a rigorous five-year data collection effort
Officer Jacob Derbin, 23, had served with the Euclid Police Department for less than a year
Assistant Chief Kevin Palmer, a U.S. Air Force veteran, has served at the North Richland Hills Police Department since 2004
Molly Winters’ journey with C.O.P.S. as a widow of a fallen LEO showcases her transformation from tragedy to advocacy, highlighting the organization’s role in her life
Listen to Molly Winters recount her transformative journey with C.O.P.S., from grieving widow of a fallen law enforcement officer to passionate advocate
The Santaquin Police Department officer killed in the incident has been identified as Sgt. Bill Hooser, a “top notch officer” who died “doing what he loved”
The driver fled a traffic stop before turning around, driving the wrong way on a freeway and ramming two cruisers and an officer, who died at the scene
“Trooper [Marcellus E.] Bethea...embodied Honor, Duty, and Fidelity in its highest form every day and in everything he did,” Gov. Phil Murphy stated
“He was the best man I will ever know. And I hope to be just like him,” Theo James Elliott wrote about his father, N.C. Department of Adult Correction Investigator William “Alden” Elliott
The suspect was taken into custody with the handcuffs that belonged to Huesca
“They’re heroes because they face dangers that most humans should not have to face,” Chief Johnny Jennings said. “And they accept that danger. And not a single one of them backed away from that challenge...”
“We saw ... officers going in to the line of fire to save their brothers in blue, who have gone down in the act of trying to keep our community safe,” Chief Jennings said
NYPD
The son of an NYPD detective who died years after he was shot on duty was promoted to captain, while the daughter of an officer killed in the line of duty was promoted to detective
Deputy Jonathan Stewart, 41, had been with the LASD since 2006, starting his career as a custody assistant and later serving as a field training officer
The truck failed to yield and struck Officer Russell Croxton’s marked patrol vehicle and another vehicle
“The wealth of knowledge that [Sgt. Ian Taylor] brought to the Billerica Police Department was boundless...” Billerica police stated. “Ian dedicated his life to helping others and saved countless lives in the process”
Patrick McDowell pleaded guilty to the shooting death of Nassau County Deputy Joshua Moyers at a traffic stop in 2021
The man’s vehicle slammed into Officer James Muhlbauer’s patrol car, killing him and his K-9 partner Champ; the impact caused the cruiser to strike and kill Jesse Eckes, a pedestrian
Corpus Christi Officer Kyle Hicks was shot while responding to reports of gunfire; his assailant was fatally shot by other officers at the scene
Gov. Kathy Hochul dispatched the state police to provide event security after the agencies touched by the loss of two officers expressed concerns about being able to provide adequate coverage
Deputy John Coddou, 50, was a 20-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and “a public servant through and through”
“Officer Huesca was a kind spirit who cared deeply for his family, friends, and our city...” Superintendent Larry Snelling stated. "... It’s clear he has left behind a legacy of empathy and professionalism”
No arrests have been made and no motive has been released in the fatal shooting of Huesca, who was off-duty but in uniform at the time of the incident
Deputy Alfredo “Freddy” Flores, a 22-year veteran well-respected within the department, succumbed to third-degree burns he suffered in the Oct. 2023 incident
Oakland Police Department Officer Jordan Wingate, who was voted “Rookie of the Year” in 2018, medically retired two years after the crash; he succumbed to his injuries on April 20
The driver suspected of killing Deputy Tobin Bolter during a traffic stop was later involved in a standoff where he was killed after shooting at law enforcement officers
Deputy Tobin Bolter, 27, who joined the Ada County Sheriff’s Office in January, had been in law enforcement for seven years
Founder Dave Portnoy announced he will continue matching donations until the fundraiser reaches $1 million
Syracuse-area law enforcement officials said the shooter lured officers to his home, where he sprayed them with bullets from an illegally modified AR-15
The DA’s office, police department and police union have stated that the surviving suspect still ultimately caused the death of the officer and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible
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