Report: Law enforcement deaths in 2025 were the lowest since WWII

Jan. 6 (UPI) — The number of U.S. law enforcement officers and agents who died while in the line of duty in 2025 was the lowest since 1943, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund announced on Tuesday.

The NLEOMF reported 111 fatalities in 2025, which is the lowest number since 94 deaths were reported in 1943 during World War II.

“Each of the 111 fatalities we publish in this report represents a selfless sacrifice made on behalf of the community and the nation in which they serve,” said Bill Alexander, chief executive officer of the NLEOMF.

“We lament to document even a single such death, but this encouraging downward trend in fatalities likely reflects the continued adoption of proven best practices by police, sheriff and corrections agencies, as well as a growing emphasis on the physical and psychological health of the men and women who work to keep our communities safe,” Alexander added.

He credited the NLEOMF’s Officer Safety and Wellness initiatives as helping to “ensure that more officers return home safely at the end of each shift.”

Among the 111 deaths, 102 were male law enforcement officers, and another 9 were female officers.

Firearms fatalities accounted for 44 officer deaths in 2025, which is down 15% from 52 officers shot and killed in 2024.

Another 34 died in traffic-related events last year, which is a decrease of 23% from 44.

Other causes accounted for the remaining 33 officer deaths in 2025, which includes those who died from health-related causes while on duty.

That number is 37% less than the 52 who died due to other causes in 2024.

The average age of officers killed in 2025 was 44, and their average service length was 13 years. They also had an average of two children.

The 2025 report is based on preliminary data and could be revised before adding respective names to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., this year.

The memorial has more than 24,000 names of officers who were killed in the line of duty, dating back to 1786.