2024 MID-YEAR

PRELIMINARY
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
FATALITIES REPORT
 LAW ENFORCEMENT
71
OFFICER FATALITIES
According to preliminary data compiled by the
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
(NLEOMF), as of June 30, 2024, 71 federal, state,
and local law enforcement officers died in the line-
of-duty. This is an increase of approximately 15%
from the 62 officers killed during the same period
last year.

An increase in traffic-related fatalities thus far in

2024 is a negative trend, particularly following our
National Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Summit in
January of 2024. In the first six months of this year,
17 officers have died due to traffic-related crashes
such as single-vehicle accidents, vehicle collisions,
and motorcycle crashes while working along our

15%
nation’s roadways. These 17 crash-related fatalities
are an increase of 89% compared to the 9 crash-
related deaths during the same period last year.

During the first half of 2024, 28 officers died from

felonious assaults, all of whom were killed in the line
of duty as a result of being fatally shot. There is an
Law Enforcement
8% increase of officers killed by firearms compared Line-of-Duty Deaths
with the first half of 2023. The leading circumstance
of firearms fatalities were officers who were killed Up Approximately
feloniously during traffic enforcement or a pursuit.

During the first six months of 2024, 17 officers died of

15 Percent
other causes, such as aircraft accidents, fire-related in the first half
incidents, and physical-related illnesses including
heart attacks and strokes suffered while in the of 2024
performance of their official duties.

2 | 2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT

 LAW ENFORCEMENT FATALITIES BY DECADE 1970-2024
THROUGH MID-YEAR

200

175

150
142

125

100

75

50

25

0
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2024

71
TOTAL FATALITIES

28 26 17
Firearms-related Traffic-related Other

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

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 2025.

2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT | 3

 FIREARMS-RELATED
28
FATALITIES
Of the 71 confirmed law enforcement line-of-duty
deaths from January 1 - June 30, 2024, firearms-
related fatalities were the leading cause of law
OFFICERS FALLEN:
enforcement deaths. There have been 28 officers FIREAMS-RELATED
killed by gunfire so far this year, compared with 26
gunfire fatalities during the first six months of 2023.
Deputy Sheriff
Of the 28 firearms fatalities, five were killed during Justin Smith
a traffic stop or pursuit and four were killed Stone County, Arkansas, S.O.
serving a felony warrant. Three each were shot EOW: JANUARY 2, 2024
handling domestic disputes and investigating Deputy Sheriff Smith was shot and
suspicious persons or activity. Two were shot killed while serving a warrant. As
Deputy Smith attempted to place the
while involved in a tactical situation, two officers suspect under arrest, he was shot. The suspect was
were shot serving civil papers, two during a later arrested and charged with capital murder.
disturbance call, two were shot attempting to
make an arrest and two were ambushed in an
unprovoked attack. Two officers were killed as a
Police Officer
result of accidental shootings and one officer was Jonathan Diller
killed while enroute home after his shift. New York City, New York, P.D.

Rifles were the leading type of firearm used in EOW: MARCH 25, 2024

fatal shootings of law enforcement officers in Police Officer Diller was shot and
killed during a traffic enforcement
the first half of 2024. Of the 28 officer fatalities,
stop. Officer Diller was transported
eight were killed with a rifle, four were killed to a hospital where he succumbed to his gunshot wound.
with a handgun. The type of firearm used in the The suspect was later indicted on first and second degree
murder charges.
remaining 16 fatalities is still under investigation
or unknown.

Of the 28 firearms-related fatalities in the first half Police Officer

of 2024, two occurred in January, six in February, Jamal Mitchell
three in March, eleven in April, two in May and Minneapolis, Minnesota, P.D.
four in June. EOW: MAY 30, 2024

Police Officer Mitchell was shot and

killed after being ambushed while
responding to a shooting call at an
apartment. When officers arrived, the suspect fired at
officers, and a gunfight ensued. Officer Mitchell stopped
to render aid to who he thought was a wounded victim
when that man shot him multiple times. Officer Mitchell
was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his
gunshot wounds. The suspect was later killed.

4 | 2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY FATALITIES REPORT

 FIREARMS-RELATED FATALITIES
THROUGH MID-YEAR

BY CIRCUMSTANCE BY FIREARM TYPE

Feloniously killed during

traffic stop or pursuit 5 Unknown 16

Serving Felony warrant 4 Rifle 8

Domestic disturbance 3 Handgun 4
Investigating suspicious
persons/activities 3 Shotgun 0
Attempting arrest 2 Officers
weapon 0
Ambush 2

Serving Civil Papers 2

Disturbance call 2 BY MONTH

Tactical 2
Inadvertant shooting 2 January 2 April 11

Off duty 1
February 6 May 2

March 3 June 4

BY DECADE*

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

*Average gunfire fatalities per decade

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

2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT | 5

 TRAFFIC-RELATED
26
FATALITIES
26 officers were killed in traffic-related incidents Struck-by incidents, where an officer was hit by a
during the first half of 2024, compared to 11 over vehicle while outside of their patrol vehicle, remain
the same period last year, an increase of 136%. Of the second-leading cause of traffic-related fatalities.
the 26 traffic-related fatalities, 15 were automobile These fatal struck-by crashes often occur while
crashes and 2 were motorcycle crashes. During officers are investigating motor vehicle crashes or
the same time period last year, 8 officers were assisting motorists on the side of the road. Nine
killed in automobile crashes and 1 died in a struck-by fatalities occurred during the first half of
motorcycle crash. the year, versus two during the same period last year.

TRAFFIC-RELATED FATALITIES
THROUGH MID-YEAR

BY CIRCUMSTANCE BY DECADE*

Automobile crash
1970s 27 2000s 33
2024 15
2023 8 1980s 30 2010s 27

Single vehicle Motorcyle crash 1990s 29 2020s 26

2024 2 2024 2
1 *Average per decade
2023 2 2023

Struck outside vehicle

2024 9
2023 2

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

6 | 2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT

OFFICERS FALLEN: TRAFFIC-RELATED

Trooper Deputy Sheriff

Joel Popp Jermyius O. Young
Michigan State Police Montgomery County, Alabama, S.O.
EOW: JANUARY 24, 2024 EOW: APRIL 5, 2024

Trooper Popp was struck and killed On April 3, 2024, Deputy Sheriff
while assisting with an impaired Young was involved in a single
driver investigation. Trooper Popp vehicle automobile crash while
was transported to a hospital where assisting other deputies during a
he succumbed to his injuries vehicle pursuit. Deputy Young’s
patrol vehicle left the roadway
and struck a tree. Deputy Young
was transported to a hospital and
succumbed to his injuries on April
5, 2024.

Deputy Sheriff Senior Police Officer

Christina M. Musil Vicente Ortiz, Jr.
DeKalb County, Illinois, S.O. Corpus Christi, Texas, P.D.
EOW: MARCH 29, 2024 EOW: JUNE 1, 2024

Deputy Sheriff Musil was killed in an On May 21, 2024, Senior Police
automobile crash while parked on Officer Ortiz was killed in a
the shoulder of a roadway conducting motorcycle crash during a funeral
stationary patrol. A large commercial procession. Senior Police Officer
vehicle struck the rear of the officer’s Ortiz succumbed to his injuries ten
patrol car. Deputy Musil was days later on June 1, 2024.
transported to a hospital where she
succumbed to her injuries.

2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT | 7

 OTHER CAUSES AND
17
FATALITIES
The ‘Other’ category in this report contains a wide Nine officers died from health-related illnesses, such
variety of health-related deaths and other line-of- as heart attacks and strokes, while the remaining
duty fatalities. 17 officers are listed in the “Other” eight officers died as a result of falling, drowning,
category versus 25 for the same period last year, a fire-related incidents, officer beatings and stabbings,
32% decrease from last year. as well as electrocution.

OTHER CAUSES OF FATALITIES

THROUGH MID-YEAR

BY CIRCUMSTANCE BY DECADE

Physical-related 9 1970s 23
Stabbed 2
1980s 19
Beaten to death 2

Aircraft crash 1 1990s 19

Drowned 1 2000s 18
Fire related incident 1
2010s 30
Electrocution 1
2020s 88
Note: Mid-Year is from January 1 through June 30

8 | 2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT

OFFICERS FALLEN: OTHER CAUSES

Sergeant Deputy Sheriff

Michael J. Kurinzi Fred Fislar
Elizabeth, New Jersey, P.D. Hendricks County, Indiana, S.O.
EOW: JANUARY 27, 2024 EOW: APRIL 16, 2024
Sergeant Kurinzi performed rescue Deputy Sheriff Fislar was
and recovery duties in the aftermath electrocuted when he came in
of the terrorist attack at the World contact with live wires while
Trade Center on September 11, investigating a crash scene. Deputy
2001. Sergeant Kurinzi succumbed Fislar was transported to a hospital
to complications of RADS (reactive where he succumbed to his injuries.
airways dysfunction syndrome) on
January 27, 2024

Border Patrol Agent Agent

Christopher Luna Davis G. Martinez
U.S. Border Patrol Maryland Dept of Public Safety
& Correctional Services
EOW: MARCH 8, 2024
EOW: MAY 31, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Luna was killed
in a helicopter crash along with two Agent Martinez was killed by a
members of the New York National client during a home visit of a
Guard during a task force mission. registered sex offender and was
assigned to the Division of Parole
and Probation in Silver Spring,
Maryland.

2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT | 9

 DEMOGRAPHICS
OF FATALITIES
In the first half of 2024, 5 officers each, from the states each had one line of duty death, Arkansas,
states of New York and Texas were killed in the line Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky,
of duty, 4 officers each from the states of Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi,
North Carolina and Tennessee were killed in the line Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah,
of duty. Three officers each from Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Minnesota as well as 3 federal officers were killed.
Looking at gender, 68 fallen officers were male and
Two officers each from Alabama, Arizona, California,
3 were female. The average fallen officers’ age was
Louisiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico,
39 years, with an average of 13 years of service. On
Ohio, as well as 2 tribal officers and 2 officers from
average, each fallen officer left behind two children.
the U.S. Territories were killed. The following

FATALITIES BY STATE
THROUGH MID-YEAR ME
0

WI VT NH
0 0 0

WA ID MT ND MN IL MI NY MA
1 1 0 0 3 3 3 5 1

OR NV WY SD IA IN OH PA NJ CT RI
0 0 1 1 0 1 2 1 2 1 0

CA UT CO NE MO KY WV VA MD DE
2 1 0 1 2 1 0 1 1 0

AZ NM KS AR TN NC SC FED
2 2 0 1 4 4 0 3
DC
0 U.S.
OK LA MS AL GA
0 2 1 2 4 TERR
2
HI AK TX FL TRIBAL
0 0 5 1 2

MILTARY
0
17 States including
Number of Fatalities: 4-5 1-3 0 the District of Columbia
had zero fatalities.

10 | 2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT

 FATALITIES BY DEMOGRAPHIC
THROUGH MID-YEAR

GENDER AGE

Male 66 Youngest 21

Female 3 Average 39

Oldest 73

TOUR OF DUTY LENGTH NUMBER OF CHILDREN

Shortest 2 months Least 0

Average 39 years Average 2

Longest 51 years Most 5

JURISDICTION

City 27

Sheriff 21

State/Tpr/Hwy Patrol 16

Federal 3

Territorial 2

Tribal 2

University 0

Military 0

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

2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT | 11

 NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICERS MEMORIAL
HONOR, RESPECT, REMEMBER
OFFICIAL NAMES FROM JANUARY 1, 2024 – JUNE 30, 2024
A place of honor, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial features the names of the Official
Line-of-Duty Fallen Heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Here, you may search for those who
have been so honored — those whose names are engraved on the Memorial wall to be remembered and
revered forever.

Since 1786, more than 24,000 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty. The National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial ensures that those who gave their lives to protect and serve their
communities are remembered for generations to come, while providing a place where survivors can
spend a quiet moment paying tribute to their loved ones.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the foremost organization that memorializes
law enforcement heroes who die in the line of duty, offers an official monthly announcement sharing the
number of fallen who have been through our stringent review process. As of June 30, 2024, 58 officers,
both recent and prior year/historical deaths, have been designated as Official Line-of-Duty Fallen Heroes
and will be added to the Memorial in the Spring of 2025.

12 | 2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT

2024 MID-YEAR PRELIMINARY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FATALITIES REPORT | 13
 444 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
www.LawMemorial.org
[email protected]