The NJ Police Chief Magazine - Volume 30, Number 4 JAN 2024 MAG | Page 17

The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | January 2024
Continued from previous page
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5 were killed during traffic enforcement
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2 were killed serving warrants
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2 were investigating disturbance calls
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2 were killed during tactical encounters
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2 were killed in other circumstances
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1 was a training accident
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1 off duty officer intervened in a crime in progress
Traffic-Related Fatalities Traffic – related fatalities decreased 27 % with 37 deaths in 2023 , compared to 51 deaths in 2022 . The 27 fatal crashes in 2023 ( automobile / motorcycle ) represents a decrease of 25 % compared to the 36 fatal crashes in 2022 . “ Struck-by ” fatalities , defined as an officer struck outside of their patrol vehicle , dropped 33 % from 15 in 2022 to 10 in 2023 .
Of the 37 traffic-related deaths :
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23 were automobile crashes
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4 were motorcycle crashes
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10 were struck-by fatalities
Other causes and Fatalities The ‘ other ’ category continues to represent the largest group of officers who died in the line of duty in 2023 . Beyond Covid-19- related deaths , this category includes long-term illnesses related to the September 11th terror attacks , acute medical events brought on by extreme and / or stressful events experienced on-duty , and a variety of rare yet significant fatal incidents . Covid-19 related deaths also fall into the ‘ Other ’ category . The trend of significant reductions in Covid-19 related deaths continued in 2023 , as only 5 suck deaths were reported .
Of the 52 ‘ Other Causes ’ deaths in 2023 :
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35 were fatal medical events
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5 were related to Covid-19
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3 officers fell to their death
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2 were due to aircraft crashes
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1 was due to a falling object
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1 officer died assisting in a fire incident
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1 officer drowned
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1 officer was beaten to death
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1 officer was stabbed to death
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1 officer was struck by a train
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1 officer was strangled to death
States with the Largest Number of Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities
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New York experienced the largest number of law enforcement fatalities of all U . S . States in 2023 , with 13 line-of-duty deaths .
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Texas has the second highest number with 11 officer deaths
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Louisiana had the third highest number with 8 officer deaths
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California had the fourth highest number with 7 officer deaths
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Indiana , and Tennessee had the fifth highest number with 6 officer deaths each
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In addition , 7 federal officers , 3 officers serving US Territories , 1 military officer , and 1 tribal officer died in 2023 . 10 states
did not lose and officer in 2023 .
Additional Demographics There were 126 male officers killed in the line of duty , and 10 female officers . The average age of the fallen officers is 45 , with an average of 15 years of service . On average , officers left behind two children .
The statistics released in the annual report are based on preliminary data compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fun and may not represent a final or complete list of individual officers who will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in 2024 .
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