Deaths of on-duty law enforcement officers in the U.S. decreased by nearly 25% in 2025, according to an annual report.
The report from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, shared with The Associated Press ahead of its release Tuesday, shows a drop in all categories of fatalities, from 148 total deaths in 2024 to 111 last year.
Officer firearm fatalities dropped to 44, a 15% decrease from 52 in 2024, marking the lowest number in at least a decade.
Bill Alexander, CEO of the Fund, expressed optimism, stating, "I always like to see that firearms deaths are down. They are the tip of the spear for egregious acts."
Traffic-related fatalities also saw a nearly 23% decrease between 2024 and 2025, attributed largely to enhanced safety measures and increased public awareness.
Alexander commented, “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.”
While the substantial declines in fatalities is encouraging, Alexander noted that the number of officers shot or shot at while on duty had increased slightly, reaching 347 incidents last year. High-profile cases included West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte and Delaware State Trooper Matthew “Ty” Snook.
Overall, the report indicates not only progress in officer safety but also highlights ongoing challenges that necessitate continuous efforts to protect those in law enforcement roles.
