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
Detective Christopher Mock suffered a sudden medical emergency after responding to a homicide and suicide on the same day; he died 12 days later
Detective Didarul Islam was killed when a gunman, targeting NFL headquarters, opened fire inside a building where he was working an overtime security detail
The U.S. Navy master-at-arms pleaded not guilty to one count of murder and one count of gross vehicular manslaughter in the death La Mesa Officer Lauren Craven
The pursuit ended with “an off-duty deputy sheriff who put himself on duty and conducted a legal intervention by hitting the suspect on the motorcycle,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said
Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones identified the officer as David Cajuso, 33; the 10-year-veteran leaves behind his wife and three young children, Jones said
San Bernardino Deputy Andrew Nunez, a six-year employee of the department, was fatally shot while responding to a call of an armed suspect
El Reno Police Sgt. Thomas Duran was struck while he was speaking with a pedestrian; he died a week later and “continues to serve” through organ donation, the PD said
Coweta County Deputy Eric Minix was struck and killed by another officer involved in the pursuit; De’Cedric Vonche Donson, who had already been arrested 17 times, pleaded guilty to felony fleeing
La Mesa PD Officer Lauren Craven encountered the crash while returning from the San Diego Central Jail and stopped to help; she had served with the department for nearly two years
Charges were dismissed against Benjamin Plank, accused of ambushing and murdering Oklahoma County Deputy Bobby Swartz in 2022, due to mental incompetence
Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Brashears died following an early-morning crash involving horses on the roadway
Trooper Nicholas Cayton was aiding the driver of a disabled semi-truck; he was in his patrol car with the emergency lights activated when another semi-truck struck him from behind
Kevin Golphin is serving life in the murders of State Trooper Ed Lowry and Corporal David Hathcock; he has tried to argue that his sentencing at age 17 violated the Eighth Amendment
Joshua Rocha shot North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez three times with an AR-15 during a traffic stop for expired tags on July 19, 2022
Sikeston Officer Henry Franklin was killed during a SWAT operation when a barricaded suspect opened fire from inside a home as officers attempted to serve a warrant
Deputy Charles Riley, who was married with two children, died from his injuries; Detective Brett Stassi Jr., the son of Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi, remains hospitalized
Escambia County Deputy Jeremy Cassady, 50, was shot and critically wounded in 2010, causing long-term heath problems that eventually led to his death
Chowchilla Police Officer Ray Barrantes died after his vehicle collided with the side of a semi-truck; he is remembered as a mentor to younger officers
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Craig Gaines died two weeks after being accidentally struck by a player while providing security at a Florida Atlantic University football game
Marysville Police Officer Osmar Rodarte was killed during a close-quarters shootout with a suspected drug dealer after he and another officer found the suspect holding a gun
Wintergreen Police Officer Chris Wagner was murdered in June 2023; when he responded to violence at a remote cabin, Daniel Barmak shot him six times
Hays Police Department officers were responding to a domestic call when the suspect fired a single shot from inside a home, fatally striking an officer
Joanne Debora Byron, also known as Joanne Chesimard and Assata Shakur, was convicted of murder in the gunfight that killed New Jersey State Police Trooper Werner Foerster
The loss of Detective Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser has sparked an outpouring of support from a grieving but united community
GoFundMe provides an effective channel for financially supporting LEOs and their families across the country. Find out how you can help!
The fiery helicopter fell out of the sky on Aug. 28, 2023, killing Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson, 50, and Lurean Wheaton, 65
MOST POPULAR
- 3 officers killed, 2 wounded while serving warrant in Pennsylvania
- Calif. officer killed, another injured in fiery crash following pursuit
- 2 officers killed, deputy and K-9 wounded in Utah shooting
- 2 Virginia police officers fatally shot during traffic stop
- Video: Ill. officer shoots, kills man who fatally wounded Ind. deputy