Line-of-Duty Death (LODD)
A compelling look into the stark realities faced by rural police officers through a rigorous five-year data collection effort
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
Saving a Hero’s Place Collaborates with museum to memorialize 23,785 officers lost in the line of duty
Jesse Branch, 35, had worked for Red Lake law enforcement since he was 18 years old
An investigation found that Meigs County Deputy Robert Leonard, who was new to the area and whose cruiser was not equipped with GPS, took a wrong turn and drove off a boat ramp
“Despite his critical injuries, Officer [Cooper] Dawson displayed exceptional courage, returning fire, and striking the suspect,” Greenville police said in a statement
“(Deputy) Diaz bravely fought but...lost his battle due to injuries sustained in the tragic crash that...claimed the lives of Cpl. Luis Paez and (Deputy) Butch Waller,” the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office stated
“Deputy [Nick] Green brought smiles to faces every time he worked, and we will miss him very much,” LaRue County Sheriff Brian Smith said
Harris County Deputy Katherine Hutson, a single parent, was working a construction site traffic enforcement shift with her daughter in the car when the crash caused the cruiser to catch fire
Two of the five firearms purchased were used to shoot Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and Firefighter-Paramedic Adam Finseth
“Law enforcement, public safety and the military are the only professions when you leave your house and kiss your family goodbye, that might be the last time,” Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said
The three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies were on the side of the road preparing to jump-start a stalled motorcycle
"[Sgt. Peter Foltz, 45] dedicated his life and his career to the citizens of Kenner, and he did it very well,” Police Chief Keith Conley said
The man was sentenced days after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Anthony Ferguson, an 11-year-veteran of the Alamogordo Police Department
Waller County Sheriff’s Office Deputy John “Eddie” Flemmons has served with the department since 2023 as a field training officer
Sgt. Devon Lindsay, 26, was a father of three and was also expecting a fourth child when he died
The Golden officers were responding to a crash while pulled off to the side of the road when the other driver struck their cruiser, forcing it under a vehicle from the initial crash
Officer Enrique Martinez was fatally shot when a passenger in the stopped vehicle grabbed a handgun and fired at him before kicking the driver out of the car and fleeing
The 26-year-old Chicago officer was just shy of three years of service in the department
Kevin G. Hanley served the NYPD in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the 123rd Precinct, the Intelligence Bureau and the Hostage Negotiation Team
Officers from Illinois and Indiana pursued the man, eventually surrounding his vehicle; the man fired a shot with a revolver, fatally wounding Cpl. Brandon Schreiber
Detective Clarence E. Word, III, 53, had served with the NYPD for 20 years and later served with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in Florida
On October 17, 2023, a Texas Ranger Sergeant brought justice to the killers of Lt. Milton Resendez, earning the Medal of Valor for his heroic actions
Maricopa County Deputy Robert Lee Wright was killed by “Iron” Irene Schroeder and her boyfriend Glen Dague, who some consider predecessors to Bonnie and Clyde
Trooper Corey Thompson, 28, served with the Illinois State Police for nearly five years and was assigned to the Special Operations Group Fatal Four team
Detective Maurice “Mo” Joseph was one of 40 Norfolk officers who used personal vacation time and unpaid leave to assist in the search and recovery efforts
Memorials
Many of the officers join a growing list of responders who have died from severe illnesses due to their time on the ground during the terrorist attacksat the World Trade Center
Corporal Raymond Kuuchi had served with the VA Police Services for nearly four years and had previously served two years with the Sea Gate PD in New York
Voyageurs National Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim was described as a “true public servant” who “loved to help people”
Tuscaloosa County Deputy Tim Johns, a 62-year-old military veteran assigned to Brookwood High School, was rushed to a hospital,where he was pronounced dead
The Office of Labor Relations Health Insurance Stabilization Fund announced it won’t pay out anything from the fund until it can “collectively bargain” the debts it currently owes
The Wise County Sheriff’s office stated that Deputy Lex Allen Love died after crashing into a construction site barrier while en route to respond to another crash
Firefighters and deputies are among the fallen in the wake of one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history
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