2020 Mid-Year

Law Enforcement Officers

Fatalities Report
 65 Law Enforcement Officer
Fatalities
According to preliminary data compiled by Twenty-six officers have been killed in traffic-
the National Law Enforcement Memorial related fatalities this year, an eight percent
and Museum (NLEMM), as of June 30, increase, compared to 24 deaths during the
2020, 65 federal, state, tribal, and local same period last year. Struck-by incidents,
law enforcement officers died in the line when an officer was hit by a vehicle while
of duty, a decrease of 14% from the 76 outside of their patrol vehicle, and auto
officers killed during the same period last crashes were the leading circumstances of
year. Of the 65 officers who have died in the the traffic-related fatalities with nine such
line of duty this year, there are five confirmed fatalities each during the first half of the
COVID-19 cases, but confirmation is pending year. The increase in traffic-related fatalities
on an additional 53 cases already identified is particularly disturbing considering the
by NLEMM. Once confirmed, the total number significant period of time during the first half
of law enforcement deaths for the first six of the year when overall vehicle traffic was
months of this year could skyrocket to 118 reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
or a 55% increase over last year’s mid-year
report. This would make COVID-19-related During the first six months of this year, twelve
fatalities the single highest cause of law officers died as a result of other causes,
enforcement deaths occurring in the first six including six physical-related, one helicopter
months of 2020. crash, and the five COVID-19 cases in which
direct exposure to a confirmed positive
When examining the more traditional causes individual was recorded.
of law enforcement deaths, firearms-related
fatalities were the leading cause of officer
deaths, with 27 officers killed thus far in 2020.

14%
This represents a 4% decrease from the 28
officers killed in firearms-related incidents
during the same period last year. The leading
circumstance of firearms-related fatalities
were officers investigating suspicious persons
or activities, followed by officers attempting an Law Enforcement
Line-of-Duty
arrest. Ambush-style attacks leading to officer
deaths were down by 50% over the same
period last year.
Deaths Down
14 Percent in
First Half of 2020

2 | 2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report

 Law Enforcement Fatalities 1970-2020
Through Mid-Year

150

120

90

65
60

30

0
1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1996 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

65
Total Fatalities

27 26 12
Firearms-related Traffic-related Other

Note: Mid-Year is from January 1 through June 30 of each year.

The data and statistics contained in this report are preliminary and do not represent a final or complete list of individual officers who
will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in 2021.

2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 3

 27 Firearms-Related
Fatalities
Of the 65 confirmed law enforcement line-of- Additionally, one officer was mistakenly shot
duty deaths January 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020, and killed by friendly fire during a property
firearms-related fatalities were the leading check call.
cause of law enforcement deaths. Twenty-
Handguns were the leading type of firearm
seven officers were shot and killed during
used in fatal shootings of law enforcement
the first six months of the year compared
officers in the first half of 2020. Of the 27
to 28 during the same period in 2019. Of the
officer fatalities, seven were shot and killed
27 firearms fatalities, nine were investigating with a handgun and three officers were killed
a suspicious person or activity, five were by a rifle while one officer was killed with
attempting an arrest, three were killed their own weapon. The type of firearm used
responding to domestic disturbance calls, and in the remaining 16 fatalities is still under
three were killed in tactical situations. investigation or unknown at this time.
Two officers were killed responding to Of the 27 firearms-related fatalities in the first
disturbance calls, two officers died after half of 2020, five occurred during the months
being ambushed, one officer was killed of February, March, May, and June. Four
during traffic enforcement, and one officer officers were shot and killed in April and three
was killed handling a mental health call. officers were killed in January.

Officers Fallen: Fireams-Related

Police Officer Tiffany-Victoria Enriquez

Police Officer Kaulike Kalama
Honolulu (HI) Police Department

End of Watch: January 19, 2020

Police Officers Tiffany-Victoria Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama were shot and killed as they
responded to a stabbing that occurred during the eviction of a disgruntled tenant. The officers
responded to a 911 call at the home and were met by gunfire. A fire was then started in the
home and rapidly spread and destroyed other homes in the area. The gunman and two
unidentified women were still in the home when the fire started. The gunman was known to
law enforcement and suffered mental health issues.

4 | 2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report

 Firearms-Related Fatalities
Through Mid-Year

BY CIRCUMSTANCE (2020) BY FIREARM TYPE (2020)

Investigating suspicious
persons/activities 9 Unknown 16
Attempting arrest 5 Handgun 7
Domestic disturbance 3 Rifles 3
Tactical 3 Officer Weapon 1
Disturbance call 2

Ambush 2
Mistaken identity
(friendly fire)
1 BY MONTH (2020)
Mental health crisis 1
Traffic enforcement 1 January 3 April 4

February 5 May 5

March 6 June 5

BY DECADE (AVERAGE)

1970s 63 1980s 44 1990s 35 2000s 29 2010s 26 2020 27

Note: Mid-Year is from January 1 through June 30

2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 5

 26 Traffic-Related
Fatalities
Twenty-six officers were killed in traffic- Last year there were four single-vehicle
related incidents during the first half of crashes resulting in officer fatalities, while
2020, compared to twenty-four over the this year the number has risen to seven,
same period last year, an 8% increase. Of the representing a 75% increase.
twenty-six traffic-related fatalities, nine were
Compared to the average number of traffic-
automobile crashes involving a collision with
related fatalities per decade, 2020 is slightly
another vehicle or fixed object, seven were
lower than the past 10-year decade average
single-vehicle crashes, nine were struck while
(2010 – 2019). In the prior decade, 27 officers
on the side of the road, and one involved a
were killed on average in the first half of a
motorcycle crash.
given year.

Traffic-Related Fatalities
Through Mid-Year

BY CIRCUMSTANCE BY DECADE (AVERAGE)

Automobile crash
1970s 27 2000s 33
2019 11
2020 16 1980s 30 2010s 27

Single vehicle Motorcyle crash 1990s 29 2020 26

2019 4 2019 1
2020 7 2020 1

Struck outside vehicle

2019 12
2020 9

Note: Mid-Year is from January 1 through June 30

6 | 2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report

Officers Fallen: Traffic-Related

Police Officer Police Officer Police Officer

Paul Dunn Kaia Grant Destin Legieza
Lakeland (FL) Springdale (OH) Brentwood (TN)
Police Department Police Department Police Department

End of Watch: End of Watch: End of Watch:

January 9, 2020 March 21, 2020 June 18, 2020

Police Officer Paul Police Officer Kaia Grant Police Officer Destin
Dunn was killed in a was struck and killed Legieza was killed in
motorcycle crash while when a suspect from an automobile crash.
en route to the police a prior traffic pursuit A vehicle crossed the
station on his department intentionally crashed into center line and struck
motorcycle. her police cruiser. Another Officer Legieza’s patrol
Springdale (OH) officer vehicle head-on. The
was injured in the crash. cause of the crash is
They were attempting to under investigation and
deploy stop sticks when this is the first line of duty
the suspect rammed into death in the department’s
their police cruisers which history.
then struck the officers
who were outside their
vehicles.

2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 7

 12 Other Causes
of Fatalities
The first half of 2020 saw an equal number Of the seven other causes, three officers
of officers who died from other causes, such succumbed to cancer-related illnesses related
as heart attacks, strokes, and 9/11 related to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
illnesses, compared to the first half of 2019. one officer died in a helicopter crash, one
Twelve officers died from other causes officer suffered an undetermined death, which
with five confirmed COVID-19-related occurred during a foot patrol in a remote
cases. COVID-19-related cases that are still area of New Mexico, one died from a heart
being evaluated will be discussed in the next attack, and one officer died as a result of a
section. undetermined physical-related issue.

Other Causes of Fatalities

Through Mid-Year

BY CIRCUMSTANCE BY DECADE (AVERAGE)

COVID-19 5 1970s 23 2000s 17

9/11-related 3
1980s 19 2010s
Physical Related 2
1990s 19 2020 12
Helicopter 1

Unknown 1

Note: Mid-Year is from January 1 through June 30

8 | 2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report

Officers Fallen: Other Causes

Captain Jonathan Police Officer Border

David Parnell Jason Knox Patrol Agent
Detroit (MI) Houston (TX) Johan Mordan
Police Department Police Department U.S. Border Patrol
End of Watch: End of Watch: End of Watch:
March 24, 2020 May 2, 2020 June 11, 2020
Captain Jonathan David Tactical Flight Officer Border Patrol Agent
Parnell was assigned to Jason Knox was killed Johan Mordan died while
the department’s Major in a police helicopter conducting foot patrol
Crimes Section where at crash while assisting in in a remote area in New
least eight members of a search for bodies in a Mexico. Agent Mordan
the team tested positive nearby bayou. The pilot was found unresponsive
for COVID-19. Captain was critically injured in and agents were unable
Parnell was tested for the incident as well. to revive him.
COVID-19 on March 21,
2020 and went to the
emergency room on
March 22, 2020; however,
he was not admitted. On
March 24, 2020, Captain
Parnell collapsed at
home, went into cardiac
arrest, and passed away.
Captain Parnell’s test
results were positive for
COVID-19.

2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 9

 53 COVID-19-Related
Deaths
NLEMM has identified law enforcement direct exposure to individuals with COVID-19
agencies that lost an officer due to COVID-19, while they were performing in their official
which has claimed more law enforcement lives law enforcement capacity. Because law
than any single category in this report. Although enforcement officers across the country
to date only five COVID-19-related cases continue to be exposed to this invisible
have been confirmed, another 53 have been nemesis, the number of line-of-duty deaths
identified and are currently under review. is continually changing, and unfortunately
many more COVID-19-related fatalities are
During this review process, NLEMM is working anticipated. As of June 30, 2020, the 53 COVID-
with federal, state, tribal, and local agencies 19-related law enforcement deaths under
to determine whether officers experienced review are listed below by state:

COVID-19 Fatalities by State

Through Mid-Year
ME

WI VT NH

WA ID MT ND MN IL MI NY MA

OR NV WY SD IA IN OH PA NJ CT RI

CA UT CO NE MO KY WV VA MD DE

AZ NM KS AR TN NC SC

OK LA MS AL GA DC

HI AK TX FL

38 States and DC had zero

Number of Fatalities: 7+ 4-6 1-3 0 COVID-19-related fatalities

10 | 2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report

Demographics
of Fatalities
In the first half of 2020, eleven officers from the also killed in the line of duty during this period.
state of Texas and five officers from the state of Twenty-one states, the District of Columbia,
California were killed in the line of duty, while U.S. Territories, and the military did not lose
three officers died in each of the states of Florida, an officer in the first half of the year.
Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma,
Fifty-eight fallen officers were male and seven
Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Six states
were female. Their average age was 41 years,
lost two officers and fourteen states lost one
with 13 years of service. On average, each
officer during the first six months of the year.
officer left behind two children.
One federal officer and one tribal officer were

Fatalities by State
Through Mid-Year
ME

WI VT NH

WA ID MT ND MN IL MI NY MA

OR NV WY SD IA IN OH PA NJ CT RI

CA UT CO NE MO KY WV VA MD DE

AZ NM KS AR TN NC SC

OK LA MS AL GA DC

HI AK TX FL

21 States and DC
Number of Fatalities: 11 5 3 2 1 0 had zero fatalities

2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 11

 Fatalities by Demographic
Through Mid-Year

GENDER AGE

Male 58 Youngest 23

Female 7 Average 41

Oldest 77

TOUR OF DUTY LENGTH NUMBER OF CHILDREN

Shortest 9 month Least 0

Average 13 years Average 2

Longest 50 years Most 5

JURISDICTION

City 34

Sheriff 19

State/Tpr/Hwy Ptrl 9

Municipal/County PD 1

Federal 1

Territorial 1

Note: Mid-Year is from January 1 through June 30

12 | 2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report

2020 Mid-Year Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 12
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