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2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report 264 Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities

According to preliminary data compiled Forty-four officers have been killed in traffic- Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities 1969-2020 by the National Law Enforcement Officers related fatalities in 2020, a two percent Through End of Year Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), as of December increase, compared to 43 deaths during the 31, 2020, 264 federal, state, military, tribal, same period the previous year. Automobiles and local law enforcement officers died in were the single leading cause of death, with 300 Total irearm-related Traffic-related ther the line-of-duty in 2020, an increase of 96% 18 of those incidents being a collision with from the 135 officers killed during the same another vehicle, and 8 single vehicle crashes. period. In 2020, officer fatalities ranged from Throughout the year, there were also 15 20 automobile crashes to heart attacks and from struck-by fatalities and 3 motorcycle fatalities. gunshots to being beaten to death. Of these During 2020, 172 officers died of other causes. tragic deaths, Covid-19 related fatalities were Of these deaths, 10 were physical-related, 200 the single highest cause of officer line-of-duty such as a heart attack or stroke suffered on deaths in 2020. duty, and 12 succumbed to injuries sustained Of the 264 officers who have died in the line in the 9/11 terrorists attacks. Additionally, 10 of duty, there were 145 confirmed Covid-19 three officers drowned, one perished in a cases. It must be noted however, as the helicopter crash, and one was beaten to pandemic rages on, NLEOMF has already death. The largest single cause of death in 100 identified a significant number of additional this category and in the entire report are the Covid-19-related fatalities. Once these cases 145 Covid-19 deaths where officers were are confirmed, NLEOMF projects that the confirmed by their agency to have engaged in 0 total number of Covid-19 fatalities and the a line-of-duty action or activity and the officer total number of line-of-duty deaths will grow was diagnosed or evidence indicated that the significantly. Unfortunately, even with the officer had Covid-19 or complications at the 0 preliminary Covid-19 fatalities, 2020 had the time of the officer’s death. 1 10 11 12 13 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 11 12 13 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 11 12 13 1 1 1 1 1 1 2000 2001 2002 2003 200 200 200 200 200 200 2010 2011 2012 2013 201 201 201 201 201 201 highest number of law enforcement line-of- 2020 duty deaths since 1974. 2 Firearms-related fatalities were the second ota atate most common cause of officer deaths, with 48 officers killed in 2020. This represents a 6% decrease from the 51 officers killed in 300% firearms-related incidents during the same 2 period in 2019. The leading circumstance irearms-related Traffic-related ther of firearms-related fatalities was officers increase in Other investigating suspicious persons or activities, line-of-duty deaths followed by attempting an arrest. Ambush Note End of ear i from anuary 1 through December 31 of each year. attacks leading to officers’ deaths remained due to Covid-19 constant compared to the same period the previous year. pandemic

2 | 2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report 100 10 200 20 300 0 0 National LawEnforcement Officers Memorialin2021. The data andstatistics contained inthisreport donotrepresent afinal or complete list ofindividual officers whowillbeadded to the Note Endofearifromanuary 1throughDecember31ofeachyear. 1 10 irearms-related 11 12 Law EnforcementOfficerFatalities1969-2020 13 1 1 1 1 1 1 Traffic-related 10 11 12 13 1 1 1 1 Through End ofYear

1 irearm-related Total 1 ota atate 10 11 12 13

2 1 1 1 2020 ther 2 1 1

Law Enforcement OfficersFatalitiesReport 1 2000 2001 2002 2003 200 200 200 200 Traffic-related 200 200 2010 2011 2012 2013 201 201 201 201 201 ther 201

| 2020 3 48 Firearms-Related Fatalities

Of the 264 confirmed law enforcement line-of- warrants, two others were killed by inadvertent duty deaths from January 1, 2020 – December gunfire and one officer was killed by firearms 31, 2020, firearms-related fatalities were the responding to a mental health call. leading cause of non-Covid-19-related law enforcement deaths. Forty-eight officers Handguns were the leading type of firearm were shot and killed during the year used in fatal shootings of law enforcement compared to 51 during the same period in officers. Of the 48 officer fatalities, 30 were 2019, resulting in a 6% decrease. Of the 48 shot and killed with a handgun and 13 officers firearms fatalities, eleven were investigating were killed by a rifle while 1 officer was killed a suspicious person or activity, seven were with their own weapon. The type of firearm killed responding to domestic disturbance calls, used in the remaining 4 fatalities is still under six deaths each were attempting an arrest investigation or unknown at this time. and ambush attacks on officers, three were Of the 48 firearms-related fatalities in 2020, five in tactical situations, and three others were occurred in each February, March, May, June, responding to various disturbance calls. and July. Four officers were shot and killed Four officers died responding to a robbery in April, September and October, and three or burglary in-progress call while three were officers were killed in January, November and feloniously killed during traffic stops. Two December. Two officers were killed by gunfire officers were killed during the year serving in August.

4 | 2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report Officers Fallen: Fireams-Related

Police Officer Police Officer Patrolman Ismael Chavez Tyler Avery Cassie Johnson Herndon Police Officer Charleston (WV) Edelmiro Garza, Jr. Mount Holly (NC) Police Department Police Department McAllen (TX) End of Watch: Police Department End of Watch: December 3, 2020 December 11, 2020 End of Watch: Patrolman Johnson July 11, 2020 Police Officer Tyler Avery succumbed to a Herndon was shot and gunshot wound she Police Officers Ismael killed while he and other sustained on December Chavez and Edelmiro officers responded to 1, 2020, while responding Garza, Jr. were shot and a burglary call. Officer to a parking complaint. killed as they responded Herndon was transported Officer Johnson had to a domestic disturbance to the hospital where he a verbal and physical call. As the officers succumbed to his injuries. altercation with the attempted to enter the suspect and the suspect home, the suspect opened brandished a handgun fire, fatally wounding and shot Officer Johnson. both officers. The suspect She was transported to committed suicide after the hospital and placed shooting the officers. on life support so that her organs could be donated. The suspect was apprehended.

2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 5 Firearms-Related Fatalities Through End of Year

2020 2020

Investigating suspicious Handgun persons/activities 0 Domestic disturbance Rifles Attempting arrest Unknown Ambush Responding to burglary or Officer Weapon robbery in progress call Traffic enforcement

Tactical O 2020 Disturbance

Serving warrants 2 January 3 May 5 September 4

Inadvertent gunfire 2 February 5 June 5 October 4 Mental health crisis March 5 July 5 November 3

April 4 August 2 December 3

1970s 128 1980s 87 1990s 68 2000s 57 2010s 53 2020 48

Note End of ear i from anuary 1 through December 31 of each year.

6 | 2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report 44 Traffic-Related Fatalities

Forty-four officers were killed in traffic- representing a 21% decrease. With greater related incidents during 2020, compared to citizen awareness, expanded officer traffic- 43 over the same period the previous year, safety messaging, proper vehicle positioning, resulting in a 2% increase. Of the forty-four and reflective traffic vests, it is hoped that this traffic-related fatalities, 18 were automobile number continues to decrease in future years. crashes involving a collision with another Compared to the average number of traffic- vehicle, eight were single vehicle crashes, 15 related fatalities per decade, 2020 with 44 were struck while on the side of the road, and fatalities is significantly lower than the past three involved a motorcycle crash. 10-year decade average (2010 – 2019). In In 2019, there were 19 struck-by crashes the prior decade, 52 officers were killed on resulting in officer fatalities and in 2020 average in traffic-related incidences during the 15 officers were killed in these incidents, calendar year.

Traffic-Related Fatalities Through End of Year

Automobile crash 1970s 60 2000s 71 201

2020 1980s 64 2010s 52

Single vehicle Motorcyle crash 1990s 59 2020 44 201 0 201 2020 2020

Struck outside vehicle 201 2020

Note End of ear i from anuary 1 through December 31 of each year.

2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 7 Officers Fallen: Traffic-Related

Police Officer Officer Andy Sergeant William Sheena Ornelas Conley Jumper Jr. Yarbrough-Powell California Greenville County (SC) Beaumont (TX) Highway Patrol Sheriff’s Office Police Department End of Watch: End of Watch: End of Watch: December 2, 2020 October 20, 2020 August 9, 2020 Officer Andy Ornelas Sergeant William Conley Police Officer Sheena succumbed to Jumper Jr. was killed Yarbrough-Powell was injuries sustained in a during a traffic stop killed in an automobile motorcycle crash that when a suspect attempted crash when a wrong-way occurred on November to flee the scene. The driver struck her patrol 23, 2020. Officer Ornelas suspect had a physical vehicle head-on and she was responding to a call altercation with Sergeant was pronounced dead at when he was critically Jumper and another the scene. Her partner injured. deputy. At some point was seriously injured in during the altercation, the crash and is in stable the suspect’s vehicle condition. accelerated and collided with a tractor-trailer causing injuries to two deputies and the suspects. However, Sergeant William Conley Jumper Jr. later succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital.

8 || 2020 2020 Law Law Enforcement Enforcement Officers Officers FatalitiesFatalities ReportReport 172 Other Causes of Fatalities

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 was one and injuries suffered during the 9/11 of the deadliest years for law enforcement terrorists attacks, three officers drowned officers in decades with 172 other causes while executing their duties, one died in a of death. Excluding Covid-19 deaths, 27 helicopter crash, and one was beaten to officers died from other causes. death.

Of the 27 other causes, 22 were health- Covid-19 related fatalities are covered in the related incidents, including heart attacks next section of this report.

Other Causes of Fatalities Through End of Year

CVID-19 1970s 47 2000s 43

1980s 40 2010s 58

1990s 36 2020 172

911-related 2

Physical Related 0

Drown

Helicopter

Beat

Note End of ear i from anuary 1 through December 31 of each year.

2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 9 Officers Fallen: Other Causes

Ranger Brendan Corporal Bryant Trooper Jennifer Unitt Searcy M. Czarnecki Larimer County (CO) Wayne County (MI) New York State Police Department of Sheriff’s Office Natural Resources End of Watch: End of Watch: December 5, 2020 End of Watch: September 2, 2020 August 20, 2020 Trooper Jennifer M. Corporal Bryant Searcy Czarnecki succumbed Ranger Unitt drowned was attacked by an to an illness stemming after being dispatched inmate and suffered from her assignment to assist with a missing severe injuries during to aid in the recovery boater during a strong the struggle. Corporal efforts as part of the New wind event at the Searcy was transported York State Police Detail Horsetooth Reservoir near to the hospital where he following the September Ft. Collins, Colorado. Radio succumbed to his injuries. 11, 2001 terrorist attack contact was lost with on the World Trade Ranger Unitt and a large Center. search using air, ground, and water resources was conducted. Ranger Unitt’s body was recovered the following morning.

10 | 2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report 145 Covid-19-Related Deaths

NLEOMF Covid-19 Task Force Covid-19-Related Deaths

During 2020 the National Law Enforcement Preliminary reports from law enforcement Officers Memorial Fund formed a Covid-19 Task agencies throughout the United States illustrate Force to address the surge in law enforcement that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has fatalities due to the coronavirus. claimed more law enforcement lives than any single category in this report. The goal of the Task Force is to compile, acknowledge, and investigate every law As of December 31, 2020, the National enforcement fatality attributed to Covid-19 Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund in the United States and to ensure that the has confirmed 145 Covid-19-related law officer is rightfully honored on the National Law enforcement line-of-duty fatalities; however, Enforcement Officers Memorial. numerous other cases are still under review. NLEOMF anticipates that the total number of All fallen officer cases formally submitted by Covid-19 related fatalities will rise prior to the each agency are reviewed by the Covid-19 Task final year-end numbers being presented for Force to ensure that cases meet established inclusion on the National Law Enforcement criteria for inclusion. Then, each case is formally Officers Memorial. presented to the Memorial Names Committee which convenes regularly throughout the calendar year.

The Covid-19 Task Force reviews documentation provided by the law enforcement agency of the fallen officer including:

1. Information that details how the officer may have contracted the virus through direct exposure while conducting their official duties and a timeline of events prior to the officer becoming ill.

2. A copy of the death certificate, with the cause of death as Covid-19.

3. A copy of the autopsy, if performed, and any other medical documents related to the case.

2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 11 COVID-19 Fatalities by State Through End of 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

2 tate had ero er of atate 7 4-6 1-3 0 Oreated fatate

12 | 2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report Demographics of Fatalities

In 2020, 48 officers from the state of Texas and officers and one military officer also died in the 19 officers from New York State were killed in line-of-duty during this calendar year. 13 states the line-of-duty. Sixteen officers died in Florida did not lose an officer this year. and thirteen each in Georgia and Louisiana. Twelve lost their lives in Pennsylvania while 246 fallen officers were male and 18 were eleven officers in both California and New Jersey female. The average age of the fallen officers was made the ultimate sacrifice. Twenty-one federal 47 years, with 17 years of service. On average, officers, five territorial officers, three tribal each officer left behind two children.

Fatalities by State Through End of 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

er of atate 7 4-6 1-3 0 tate had ero fatate

2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report | 13 Fatalities by Demographic Through End of Year

Male 246 Youngest 23

emale 18 Average 47

ldest 79

O O O

Shortest 4 onth east 0

Average 17 ear Average 2

ongest 50 ear Most 8

O

City

22

Sheriff

State/Tpr/Hwy Ptrl

ederal 2

Municipal/County PD 0

Territorial

Tribal

Unviversity

Military

Note End of ear i from anuary 1 through December 31 of each year.

14 | 2020 Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report 444 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 www.LawMemorial.org [email protected]