Assaults on Law Enforcement Officers on the Rise, Despite Decrease in Line of Duty Deaths

In 2023, there was a decrease in the number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty compared to the previous year, according to the FBI report. The report indicated that sixty officers were killed, a decline of one from the previous year. However, there has been a concerning rise in assaults on officers in the field, primarily driven by increases in gun violence.

The report highlighted that the South, being the largest region in the country, witnessed the highest number of officer fatalities. Despite this, there was a notable decrease in officer deaths in the South, with 20 reported in 2023 compared to 32 in 2022. Firearms were identified as the most commonly used weapons in these incidents, with 52% of the officers dying from gunshot wounds.

Assaults on Law Enforcement

The FBI's preliminary data revealed a significant increase in assaults on law enforcement officers, with 10,884 agencies employing 600,120 officers reporting 79,091 assaults. This indicated a rate of 13.2 assaults per 100 officers. Notably, the number of officers assaulted by firearms reached approximately 466 in 2023, marking a 10-year high.

The release of the FBI report coincides with the observation of National Police Week. Attorney General Merrick Garland and other law enforcement leaders participated in a candlelight vigil on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., honoring fallen law enforcement officers across the nation. This solemn event comes after a tragic incident where four members of a U.S. Marshals Service task force were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a fugitive wanted for firearms charges. In total, eight officers were shot, resulting in the death of one suspect at the scene while two others were taken into custody.

Attorney General's Tribute

During a memorial for Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks, Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the profound risks faced by law enforcement officers daily, even during routine arrests. He highlighted the sacrifices made by these officers and their families, acknowledging the inherent dangers associated with their duties.