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Law Enforcement Fatalities Reach Historic Lows in 2025, Data Shows
The number of U.S. law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty saw a significant decline in 2025, reaching levels not observed since World War II, according to new data.
A report released Tuesday by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund indicates that total line-of-duty deaths dropped from 148 in 2024 to 111 last year. This notable decrease was observed across all fatality categories.
Annual officer fatalities have not been this low since 1943, when 94 officers lost their lives while on duty.
Firearm-related fatalities decreased by 15%, falling from 52 in 2024 to 44 in 2025, marking the lowest total in at least a decade, based on the Fund’s records.
Bill Alexander, the Fund’s chief executive officer, expressed cautious optimism to The Associated Press. “I always like to see that firearms deaths are down.
They are the tip of the spear for egregious acts,” Alexander stated. “Even one officer fatality is too many, and our ultimate goal is to have none.
But we’re heartened by any decrease in those numbers.”
Traffic-related deaths also saw a nearly 23% reduction year-over-year. Alexander attributed the decline in fatalities from crashes and officers being struck by vehicles during traffic stops to increased attention to roadside safety. He highlighted the impact of expanding “move-over” laws and evolving policing tactics, such as encouraging officers to approach vehicles from the passenger side.
While fatalities are down, Alexander noted that this doesn’t necessarily indicate a decrease in officer shootings.
The National Fraternal Order of Police, which tracks both fatal and nonfatal on-duty officer shootings (excluding incidents where officers were fired upon but not hit), released its 2025 report this week. This report showed a slight increase in officers shot on duty last year, rising from 342 in 2024 to 347 in 2025.
Fatalities in the report’s “other” category, which encompasses medical emergencies, stabbings, drownings, and aviation accidents, dropped by 37%, from 52 to 33. This total includes 14 officers who succumbed to illnesses linked to their response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The report does not include suicides, though Alexander mentioned that the organization is continuing discussions on how to appropriately recognize and honor those officers.