Crime Control - Officer Deaths On Duty Jump 7%; GunShots, Vehicles Are Leading Causes

Sep 29, 2026

This issue summarizes national and state-level public safety information, focusing on officer fatalities during the first half of 2004 and the causes driving death rates. It reports that weapons assaults, especially guns, continue to account for about one-third of fatalities and breaks down the 82 line-of-duty deaths by incident type. It also highlights state initiatives, including Vermont’s plan for a $30M forensics laboratory and Utah’s approach to connect pregnant drug users to treatment via coordinated case management.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Crime Control

Vermont Reveals Plan for $30M Forensics Lab

Utah Seeks Cures for Pregnant Drug Users

September 10,2004Vol.38,No.36 IN THIS ISSUE Vermont Unveils Plan For $30MForensics Lab In Major Upgrade..2Utah Seeks Ways For Police To AidPregnant Substance Abusers……2NIJ Outlines Need For Policies ThatDiffer For Urban,Rural Gang.….3BJS Offers Data On Carjackings..3Juvenile Group Issues Call ForPapers For Spring Conference ……3OJJDP Issues Annual Repor……3CALEA Celebrates 25th AnniversaryAt Texas Conference………………3 IN THE COURTS 8th Circuit Decides Blakely DoesNot Apply Retroactively………49th Circuit Upholds City's StandardForm for Warrants …………………410th Circuit Says Search Of VehicleAfter Release Of Suspect Is Valid411th Circuit Allows Arrestee To PressClaim Due To Officer Errors………5 LEGISLATION House Votes To Block Overtime PayRules From Taking Effec.………5 ACROSS THE STATES California…… ………………6Illinois…………… ………………6Michigan……………………………6North Dakota………………… ……6Ohio……………… ………………6Oregon………………… …7Pennsylvania…………………………7Utah……………………………………7Washingtn…………………… ………7 # Crime Control Officer Deaths On Duty Jump 7%;GunShots,Vehicles Are Leading Causes The number of police officerskilled nationwide during the first halfof 2004 rose by more than 7 percentover the same period last year. Weapons assaults,primarilyguns,continued to account for aboutone-third of fatalities. Eighty-two state and local lawenforcement officers were killed inthe line of duty during the first sixmonths of 2004,according to pre-liminary numbers recently releasedjointly by the National Law Enforce-ment Officers Memorial Fund(NLEOMF)and the Concerns of Po-lice Survivors(COPS). The deaths represent an increaseof six from the 76 officers who losttheir lives during the same period ayear ago.Two of the officers whodied during the first half of the yearwere women. Over the last 10 years,an averageof 163 officers have died annually. "I am troubled by the increasingloss of life represented in these num-bers,"said NLEOMF Chairman CraigW.Floyd. “Despite all that is being done tomake policing safer,including bettertraining and use of the best equip-ment available,we are still seeing avery alarming rate of fatalities amongour law enforcement professionals." Of the 82 officers,33 were shot,24 died in automobile accidents,seven were struck by automobileswhile outside of their own vehicles,nine officers succumbed to job-related illnesses,four died in motor-cycle accidents,one officer wasbeaten to death,two officers werekilled in an aircraft accident,one of-ficer drowned,and one officer fell tohis death. "While the number of policedeaths is staggering,the most tragicpart of the story is the families leftbehind,"observed COPS PresidentLinda Hintergardt Soubirous.“Theyneed and deserve the prayers andsupport of their community and theircountry during this very difficult timein their lives.” California was the deadliest statefor law enforcement officers with 10deaths during the first six months of2004. Alabama ranked second witheight fatalities,followed by Floridaand Texas with seven fatalities,andMichigan and Pennsylvania with fivefatalities each. Weapons assaults,primarilyguns,accounted for more than one-third of the 148 deaths of officers inthe line of duty during the full year2003. Page 2 The 148 officers killed in 2003matched the fatality figure recordedin 2002. Of the officers killed during2003,data show that 53 died inautomobile accidents;52 were shot todeath;13 were struck by automobileswhile on duty outside their vehicles;11 died in motorcycle accidents;sixsuccumbed to job-related illnesses;four drowned;two suffered fatal beat-ings;two fell to their deaths;one wasstabbed to death;one died in an air-craft accident;one was electrocuted;one was strangled;and one was hit bya train. ## VERMONT REVEALS PLANFOR $30M FORENSICS LAB Vermont will construct a new $30million forensics laboratory that willconsolidate operations and replaceoutmoded facilities in use since theWorld War II era. State officials said upgrading thecrime lab wo

FAQs

What key factors are cited for police officer deaths on duty in the first half of 2004?

The issue reports that weapons assaults, primarily guns, accounted for about one-third of fatalities. It also lists multiple categories such as automobile accidents, being struck while outside vehicles, and other causes.

How many officers were reported killed in the line of duty during the first six months of 2004?

The issue states that 82 state and local law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty during the first six months of 2004, based on preliminary numbers.

What are Vermont and Utah planning to do in response to public safety and health-related needs?

Vermont plans to construct a new $30 million forensics laboratory to consolidate operations and meet rising standards. Utah promotes a program that connects pregnant drug users to treatment by using a case manager linked to the police department to speed referral and transfer responsibilities.

Sep 29, 2026

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