The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has reported a nearly 25% drop in deaths of on-duty law enforcement officers in the United States for the year 2025. The total fatalities decreased from 148 in 2024 to 111 in 2025, marking a significant improvement. The report highlights various categories of fatalities, with firearm-related deaths decreasing from 52 in 2024 to just 44 last year, a 15% reduction, marking the lowest figure in a decade.
Bill Alexander, CEO of the Fund, expressed his relief at the decreasing numbers, emphasizing that each life lost is a tragedy and reaffirming the organization's commitment to increasing public awareness of officer safety. Traffic-related deaths among officers also saw a notable decline, dropping nearly 23% due to enhanced public awareness about the dangers that officers face during traffic stops.
While there are achievements to celebrate, Alexander cautioned that the overall safety of officers remains a high priority, with the ultimate goal of achieving zero on-duty fatalities. He acknowledged the complexity behind the reduction in firearm deaths, attributing it to a combination of improved training, equipment, and perhaps sheer luck. Despite the positive trends, there was an increase in the number of officers shot while on duty, rising from 342 in 2024 to 347 in 2025.
The report also highlights that 17 states and Washington D.C. recorded no on-duty officer fatalities. The category of fatalities due to other circumstances, like medical issues or accidents, also saw a decrease, with a drop of 37% from the previous year, reinforcing the notion that improved measures are contributing to better officer survival rates.
