Line-of-Duty Death (LODD)
Leaders have a duty to prepare their officers and protect their families — because when tragedy strikes, there may be no second chance
After the January 6 Capitol riot, DC Officer Jeffrey Smith died by suicide — his widow’s fight changed the law and redefined duty-related trauma
This could be the year we finally drop below 100 line-of-duty deaths — a goal many once believed was out of reach
Sgt. Billy Randolph was standing outside his vehicle at the scene of an 18-wheeler crash and fire when he was struck by DeAujalae Evans’ car on Aug. 12, 2024
Detectives Victor Lemus, Joshua Kelley-Eklund and William Osborn died on July 18, 2025, after one of two grenades found in a Santa Monica apartment complex detonated
“Deputy [Steven] Bruner worked tirelessly yesterday, assisting with evacuations during the fire, putting the safety of others before himself,” the Calhoun County sheriff’s office stated
Trooper Aaron Pelletier was struck and killed while conducting a traffic stop on May 30, 2024; the Tunnels to Towers Foundation paid for the home of his wife and two sons
Detective Derval Whyte told jurors he tried to save Officer Jonathan Diller after the sudden burst of gunfire
Cpl. Timothy O’Connor was pulling a man over for erratic driving; as O’Connor approached the driver’s side door, the driver fired shots, fatally wounding him
Forsyth County Deputy Kaleb Mitchell, 24, had served in law enforcement since 2022
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry, 30, was struck head-on by an impaired driver while driving on the Durham Freeway
Richard Dean Bird, who fatally shot Christian County deputies Gabriel Ramirez and Michael Hislope, had a lengthy criminal history, including a history of shooting at police
Cpl. David Michael Hathcock died from injuries sustained duringa crash; he had served with the Montgomery Police Department for more than 20 years
Richard Dean Bird killed Christian County Deputy Gabriel Ramirez during a traffic stop; he later wounded more officers during a shootout and killed Deputy Michael Hislope
Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Lewis was struck by a vehicle while stopping to help a stranded motorist
Sgt. Michael Schlattman, who had been with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office since 2012, was pinned beneath his cruiser after a tractor-trailer struck it while he was standing by the roadway
The man went on the run after killing a Christian County deputy; when he was located by law enforcement, he opened fire, killing another deputy and igniting the shootout that led to his own death
Master Trooper Stien Davis had served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for more than 10 years; he was assigned to Troop B, District 7 in Robeson County
Hahira Officer Caleb Abney was inside his patrol vehicle with emergency lights on when a Camaro veered onto the shoulder and struck his vehicle
Trooper Michael Diego was participating in a “competitive process” for FHP’s Criminal Interdiction Unit at the agency’s training academy when he became unresponsive
Officer Brian Elliott was responding to a call when he and another officer were shot; Elliott later died from his injuries
Terrell Storey, 50, fired on officers from multiple rooftops in a Flagstaff residential neighborhood over almost two hours
A judge ordered the suspect held without bond on second-degree murder and related charges in the death of Officer Terry Bennett
New Jersey State Police Sgt. 1st Class Sean Acker served with the State Police for more than 19 years and was a married father of two
Trooper Hunter Bennett, 28, and Pilot Robert Skankey, 61, were killed while supporting ground units during an active shooter incident
A Ranger helicopter crew was responding to assist the Flagstaff PD and other law enforcement agencies when it crashed, killing the pilot and the trooper/paramedic inside
Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Rick Haggard, 52, served as the SRO for Shannon Elementary School
Kenneth Lee Simpson was found guilty of nine charges, including first-degree murder, in the killing of Hermann Police Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer was escorting a funeral procession when his motorcycle was struck from behind
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