By Police1 Staff
A report published by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund found that ambush attacks on LEOs increased by 167 percent this year.
This year ties with 2014 as the deadliest year for ambush-style killings of LEOs. Disturbing data shows there have been 40 police officers fatally shot in ambush-style attacks since 2014, NLEOMF spokesperson Steve Groeninger told USA Today.
The report states that 115 officers have been killed in the line of duty in 2016, a 15 percent increase over 2015. In addition, 52 officers were killed by gunfire, a 58 percent increase over last year.
NLEOMF reported that more officers have been shot and killed in 2016 than during any full year since 2011.
“All of these tragedies remind us in very stark terms that America’s law enforcement professionals are facing clear and growing dangers on our behalf. And, when our police officers are at risk, we are all at risk,” Groeninger said.