The Latest Numbers

Have you ever seen one of those cartoons where something unexpected or unbelievable happens and the character has that response that can only occur in animation? With a background audio response of whaaaaaaaaaat, the character's head turns from side to side in such frenzy that it is nothing more than a blur. While we may not be able to duplicate this humorous response in real life it is something that most of us have experienced.<br /> <br /> I recently felt this way when reading an article that was posted by the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. They were discussing the number of police officers who had been killed in 2010. I was aware that the number of police officer deaths in 2009 had declined to a number that was the lowest that it had been in nearly fifty years. In a world where violence seems to be on a constant upswing, this was a number that was actually comforting. Police officers have always known that there is a possibility of being killed in the line of duty. The 2009 numbers had been very promising. Fifty six officers were killed in 2009. But, as sad as any officer related death may be, fifty six seemed to be good news compared to the mid seventies when one hundred forty or so were killed. As recently as 2008, over one hundred officers were killed. During this fifty year period, 1960 showed the lowest number with forty nine officers killed. <br /> <br /> But, as I read on, I had that animated 'whaaaaaaaaat' moment. According to the article, during the first half of 2010, the number of police officer deaths in the country had risen forty three percent. As my head began to recover from its cartoonish shaking I began to read on. The numbers were broken down by the incident categories and the number of officers killed in those categories. Gunfire deaths were up forty one percent, from twenty two to thirty one. Traffic related deaths were up thirty five percent from thirty one to forty two. And lastly, all other categories combined were up thirty five percent from eight to fourteen.<br /> <br /> Other interesting facts mentioned in the article talked about the disturbing increase of 'cluster killings' that had occurred whereby more than one officer was killed in the same incident. Thirty states, Puerto Rico, and the Federal Government had reported police officers being killed in the line of duty. As it has been historically, California, Texas and Florida lead with their states being home to twenty three of those officers killed.<br /> <br /> You would think after thirty two years in this business I would have grown accustomed to the fact that police officers will always be in harm's way as long as there are people who are committed to criminal enterprise at any cost. Over the years I have lost a very close friend and countless fellow officers who were killed in the line of duty. But, even after all of that, it is still very disheartening to consider the residual effects that a police officer's death can cause. The victimization of an officer killed in the line of duty goes well beyond the spot on the ground where the fallen officer may lay. Husbands, wives, children, loved ones and friends will feel the loss long after the headlines have faded.<br /> <br /> These officers names will be etched on the walls of the National Police Officer's Memorial in Washington D.C., as have the names of many fallen officers before them. If it could be harnessed, the courage that is emitted from those names on the wall could overcome any threat known to man. What a proud honor and colossal waste all at the same time. The thin blue line is a proud icon that reminds us all of the separation we enjoy from the evils of the world based on the service provided by our nation's law enforcement. But, as durable as this line has been, each officer's death creates another fray that continues to increase the speed of its certain and unavoidable decay.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/9/232144