U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
 Police Officer Deaths in the United States, 1980-2007

Description
              Contrary to what most people think, more officers die as a result of accidents than criminal assaults.

Felonious Deaths. In 1980, there were 23.7 felonious police officer deaths per 100,000 sworn officers. In 1981, the number dropped to 20.5. It stayed the same in 1982 and then dropped to 17.8 in 1983. In 1984, the number decreased to 15.4, but in 1985, it increased to 16.6. In 1986, the number of felonious deaths dropped to 13.9 and then rose to 15.4 in 1987. In 1988, the number climbed to 16.1. In 1989, it declined to 13.3; in 1990 to 12.6. The number increased to 13.3 in 1991 and then decreased to 11.6 in 1992. In 1993, the number of felonious deaths rose to 12.6; in 1994 to 14.1. It went back down to 12.6 in 1995 and to 10.2 in 1996. In 1997, the number increased to 11.3. In 1998, it decreased to 9.5; in 1999 to 6.6. In 2000, the number climbed to 7.8; in 2001 to 10.6. It dropped to 8.4 in 2002 and to 7.8 in 2003. In 2004, the number of deaths rose to 8.5, then dropped to 8.1 in 2005, and dropped again in 2006 to 7.0. In 2007, it rose back up to 8.1.

Accidental Deaths. In 1980, for every 100,000 sworn officers, 13.9 police officers died from accidental causes. The number rose to 14.9 in 1981, to 16.0 in 1982 and 1983, and to 16.1 in 1984. In 1985, it declined to 14.9; in 1986 to 14.1. In 1987, the number of deaths climbed to 15.4 and then to 15.9 in 1988 and 1989. In 1990, the number dropped to 12.8. It dropped again in 1991 to 9.9, but it increased to 12.1 in 1992. In 1993, the number decreased to 10.7, but it climbed to 11.0 in 1994. In 1995, it dropped to 10.1; in 1996 to 8.7. The number of accidental deaths rose to 10.2 in 1997; in 1998 to 12.6. It went back down to 10.2 in 1999, but then increased to 12.7 in 2000. In 2001, the number declined to 11.5; in 2002 to 11.3. It rose to 12.1 in 2003 and to 12.2 in 2004. In 2005, it dropped back down to 9.9 and then dropped again to 9.7 in 2006. In 2007, it climbed up to 11.9.
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov