CNN noted today that 10 police officers have been shot in the United States in a 24-hour period, and today is the funeral for two others from the Miami-Dade Police Department.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund also noted an "alarming increase" in line-of-duty deaths for police in 2010. They said, "The number of U.S. law enforcement fatalities spiked by 37 percent in 2010 - an alarming increase that follows two years of declining deaths among our nation's policing professionals." A total of 160 officers died in the line of duty last year. There was a 20 percent increase in officers killed by gunfire, and a 43 percent increase in officers killed in traffic accidents.
All of these statistics point to the simple fact that despite advances in safety technology, law enforcement continues to be a dangerous job. We stress this to our recruits and let them know this is a career in which their life could be on the line. Just after midnight today, as a matter of fact, one of our officers almost was run down by a car. He stopped a man for speeding at 9 Highway and 169 Highway. The man pulled over, and as soon as the officer approached the window, the driver turned his car at the officer and accelerated. The officer, fortunately, was able to jump out of the way in time, and the man was later caught by officers in Kansas City, Kan. Charges are pending against him for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and a slew of other offenses.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to our brothers and sisters in blue and their loved ones who are suffering today. I ask that you keep the safety of officers here and elsewhere in your thoughts and prayers, as well.
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