Although 2019 has not ended as of this writing, with two weeks remaining 38 police officers have been shot to death in the line of duty. While one death is a tragedy; 38 deaths are horrible. The previous year, 2018, law enforcement suffered 47 deaths by gunfire. As shocking as each death is, officers killed in gunfights are not the sole reason cops are dying. For an in-depth look into officer deaths, one need only study the figures provided by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, and the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted yearly report.
In 2018 there were 106 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Surprisingly, 55 died as a result of felonious actions, but almost the same number, 51, died in accidents. Of those 51 killed in accidents, the majority of them, 34, died in motor vehicle crashes (15 were not wearing seatbelts). That’s almost the number of officers shot to death in 2019! Those 34 driving deaths broke down as follows: 29 were operating cars, SUVs, trucks or vans, and 5 were operating ATVs or motorcycles. The remaining deaths of the 51 were as follows: 9 were pedestrian officers stuck by vehicles, 3 officers drowned, 2 died in firearm-related incidents, 1 officer fell while involved in a foot pursuit, 2 officers died when they were struck by a train.
Death by vehicle
Looking at LE deaths over a 10-year span reveals that while officers that were shot amounts to 528 deaths, the number of cops killed in automobile crashes equals 350. If you add motorcycle crashes to that number, 59, the total is 409. Moreover, if we add in those officers killed after being struck by a vehicle, 122, the total is a startling 531 deaths—slightly more than those killed in shootings. It’s clear that a huge threat exists from motor vehicles. From 2005-2017, 775 officers died due to motor vehicle related incidents (either crashes or being struck) equaling 37% of all line of duty deaths. Certain behaviors put officers at risk of being involved in a crash:
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Speeding, particularly through intersections
- Being distracted while using a mobile data terminal or other electronic device
- Experiencing tunnel vision from increased stress
How to fix it
In the last 10 years, on average, more than one officer per week has been killed in officer crashes. Most years, motor vehicle-related incidents, including crashes and being struck by moving vehicles while on foot, are the main cause of deaths for officers. How do we reduce the numbers of deaths from crashes? Concentrate on doing these four things:
- Wear your seatbelt, it just takes seconds to buckle up
- Slow down, think before you speed and be aware of your surroundings
- Focus on the road and all hazards, pull over to use your MDT or other electronics
- Remain calm, control stress by breathing slowly and steadily
Most of the line of duty deaths involving car crashes receive limited attention from the media. Officers shot in the performance of their duty makes for better headlines. However, when we drill down on the actual number of deaths caused by vehicles, we realize LODD in vehicles are just as serious as shootings. Whether the crashes occur as a result of responding to a radio assignment, pursuits, or just careless inattentive driving, we must take this problem more seriously. Constant training, both classroom and in vehicle is a must. Proper use of emergency equipment, lights and siren, must be stressed. Our streets are more dangerous today than ever before. Faster, bigger, cars, SUVs, and trucks dominate the roads. A collision at any speed will cause substantial damage and and/or injury. If going home after your shift is important to you, please take a closer look at your personal driving habits. For the sake of your family, your colleagues, and the public, think about what you can do to make yourself safe during your shift.
Stay safe, Brothers and Sisters!
John Wills
John M. Wills is a former Chicago police officer and retired FBI agent. He is a freelance writer and award-winning author in a variety of genres, including novels, short stories and poetry. John also writes book reviews for the New York Journal of Books, and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. His new book, The Year Without Christmas, is available now. Visit John at: www.johnmwills.com.
