Report: Number of U.S. officers killed plummets

WASHINGTON – The number of officers killed across the United States over the course of 2013 was relatively extremely low, according to a new report.

“We’re not accepting death and injury as an unavoidable part of the job,” explains Craig Floyd with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

According to the non-profit group’s latest figures, 111 officers died this past year while on duty.

“That’s the lowest fatality figure we’ve seen since 1959,” says Floyd.

One was in Maryland. Two were in Virginia. There were none in D.C.

“Firearms related deaths — there were 33 this past year. That’s the lowest number since 1887,” Floyd says.

Experts credit a number of factors including a greater prevalence of bullet-resistant vests.

You can read the full report on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund website.

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