On-duty law enforcement deaths fell about 25% in 2025, new report says

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reports that on-duty officer fatalities fell from 148 in 2024 to 111 in 2025, a nearly 25% decrease, and that firearm deaths dropped to 44, the lowest in at least a decade.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund released an annual fatality report showing a near 25% decline in U.S. on-duty law enforcement deaths in 2025. The group said total fatalities fell from 148 in 2024 to 111 last year. It highlighted decreases across multiple categories, including firearm and traffic-related deaths, and shared the report with The Associated Press ahead of its release. Key facts: - Total on-duty law enforcement deaths fell from 148 in 2024 to 111 in 2025, a nearly 25% decrease. - Officer firearm fatalities decreased to 44 in 2025, down from 52 in 2024, which the Fund called the lowest number in at least a decade. - Traffic-related deaths dropped nearly 23%, covering both fatal crashes and officers struck by vehicles during stops. - The National Fraternal Order of Police reported a slight increase in officers shot while on duty, from 342 in 2024 to 347 in 2025. - The Fund reported no on-duty officer fatalities in 17 states and Washington, D.C., and none at federal and tribal agencies in 2025. - The "other" fatalities category fell from 52 in 2024 to 33 in 2025 and included 14 officers who died from illnesses related to the Sept. 11 attacks. Summary: The decline spans firearm, traffic-related and "other" categories, though the Fund and its CEO said the reasons are not fully defined and may include training, equipment and situational factors. The report notes COVID-19 deaths have not been counted as on-duty fatalities in the last two years, and the organization said it is discussing how to recognize and include officers who died by suicide. The findings were shared with the Associated Press before the report's release.