Line-of-Duty Death (LODD)
Leaders have a duty to prepare their officers and protect their families — because when tragedy strikes, there may be no second chance
After the January 6 Capitol riot, DC Officer Jeffrey Smith died by suicide — his widow’s fight changed the law and redefined duty-related trauma
This could be the year we finally drop below 100 line-of-duty deaths — a goal many once believed was out of reach
Trooper George Baker, 33, was in a roadway removing a tire deflation device when he was struck by a Hammond police car
The deputy was assisting in the search when another deputy accidentally struck him with his vehicle
Most of the killings tragically involve a definable list of deadly tactical errors
Of the 285 officers shot in 2019, nearly a quarter of them were policing towns with fewer than 11,000 people
Sgt. Lionel Martinez was rushed to the hospital after being found in his patrol vehicle
Of the 89 LODDs last year, 48 were felonious acts and 41 were accidental
Officer Mike Mosher, a 14-year veteran, was remembered for his passion and initiative
The police helicopter crashed into an apartment complex
The officer posted the tribute in honor of a colleague who died of COVID-19
Lt. Glenn Hutto Jr. died from gunshot wounds sustained when a man accused of murder attacked him and another officer
Social distancing creates unique challenges for honoring first responders and supporting their families
A man accused of murder ambushed two officers sent to interview him about a killing hours earlier, then stood over a dead officer’s body while continuing to shoot him
A suspect was detained after a roughly four-hour standoff
Deputy John Andrew Rhoden, 31, was struck by an 18-wheeler while attempting to lay a spike strip
Dan Walters was shot, then struck by a vehicle while responding to a domestic violence dispute in 2003
Hopkins County Deputy Terry Vick’s vehicle struck the base of a bridge after crossing the median
A refrigerated truck drove into the officers and their vehicles as they were responding to a traffic stop
Officer Christopher Eric Ewing was remembered as ‘the voice you wanted to hear when you needed help’
The officer’s patrol vehicle collided with a Chevy Tahoe late Monday night
The officer has been identified as Const. Heidi Stevenson, a mother of two and a 23-year veteran of the RCMP
The man was wearing body armor and waiting to ambush the officers when they arrived at his home in response to a domestic violence call
Hampton Police Chief Terry Engle suffered life-threatening injuries when his patrol vehicle left the road Saturday night and struck a tree
Deputy Jeremy Ladue was killed when a vehicle collided with his patrol car early Monday morning
The remarks allegedly came four days after BSO Deputy Shannon Bennett, a 12-year veteran, died of COVID-19
Sgt. Mark Eckenrode died Monday, April 6 following a non-COVID-19-related medical emergency, the department said
Aliquippa Police Chief Robert Sealock had suffered a major asthma attack following a foot pursuit on March 26
Detective James Kirk died Feb. 11, one day after he responded to a call for assistance and grappled with an armed suspect
Officer Breann Leath was responding to a domestic disturbance call when she was fatally wounded
Hutchinson County Sheriff Kirk Coker died March 29 when his vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree
Because of that, Officer Marco DiFranco’s family will be able to access financial benefits, police leaders said