Last month, 34 law enforcement officers were shot, and three were killed by the gunfire. In 2022, 331 police officers came under fire, and 62 died. In 2021, 346 officers were shot, and 64 were killed.
Most of last month’s officer shootings occurred in California, Kansas, Minnesota, and Texas – each with three incidents.
Chief of Police Justin McIntire with the Brackenridge Borough Police Department in Pennsylvania was gunned down on January 2 during a suspect pursuit.
Deputy Sheriff Darnell Calhoun with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in California was struck and killed by gunfire on January 13 while responding to a domestic violence call.
Police officer Gonzalo Carrasco with the Selma Police Department in California was murdered on January 31 while performing neighborhood patrol. A trespassing suspect unexpectedly opened fire when Carrasco attempted to approach him.
Year to date, nine officers have been attacked ambush-style, meaning the officers were struck without warning and had no opportunity to defend themselves.
“Premeditated ambush-style attacks are particularly disturbing and pernicious,” the report explained. “Premeditated attacks contribute to a worrisome desensitization to evil acts that were once largely considered taboo except by the most depraved individuals.”
The FOP argues that the ambush-style attacks on officers have been a growing concern for at least the past decade, citing DOJ and FBI reports.
President of the Fraternal Order of Police Patrick Yoes stated that the increase in violence towards law enforcement results from criminals feeling “emboldened by the failed policies of pandering prosecutors and cynical politicians.” Yoes called 2022 one of the “most dangerous years for law enforcement.”
“Frankly, it is unlike anything I’ve seen in my 36 years of law enforcement,” Yoes stated. “It is incumbent upon our elected officials and community leaders to stand up, support our heroes, and speak out against the violence against law enforcement officers.”
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