As 2013 comes to a close, please reflect upon the law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty throughout the United States, its territories and protectorates. Please remember them and their loved ones, friends, and colleagues.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, as of this posting, 104 officers have laid down their lives this year in service to their communities, counties, States, and nation. This is an average of one law enforcement line of duty death every three and a half days.
Of those who died, 38 (or 36%) were murdered simply for trying to perform their sworn duties. In no other civilian profession in the United States are people routinely murdered just for trying to do the jobs we ask them to do.
Of those 38 murdered law enforcement officers, 31 were murdered through gunfire, 5 through vehicular assault, 1 through explosive device, and 1 through stabbing.
Of the 104 total officers: Texas lost the most, at 13; California was next, with 10; and the US Government was third, with 8.
Of California's 10 officer deaths: Six were murdered...all through gunfire.
The average age of the 104 officers was 42. Their average seniority with their departments was just over 13 years.
Also during this year, 17 police K9's died in service. Of those: 4 were killed through gunfire; 1 through stabbing; and 1 from a fall.
Honor is due. Honor is due them all.
Author John B. Greet is a Long Beach native and retired LBPD Sergeant currently living in the Pacific Northwest.