National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reports 39% decrease in law enforcement line of duty deaths 

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund have released preliminary data regarding law enforcement line of duty deaths across the nation in 2023. According to the report the United States saw a 39% decrease in law enforcement line of duty deaths in 2023 with the total number going from 224 fatalities in 2022 to 136 in 2023. 

Released with the report was a state by state breakdown and that reported that Minnesota had one line of duty death in 2023 which was Pope County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Owens. North Dakota saw two line of duty deaths in 2023 with Fargo Police Officer Jake Wallin and Mercer County Deputy Sheriff Paul Martin. 

2023 is the second straight year of line of duty deaths nationwide after an all time high of 623 deaths in 2021. The states with the highest numbers of fatalities in 2023 were New York (13), Texas (11), and Louisiana (8). Nine states and the District of Columbia saw no line of duty deaths. 

Included in this report by the NLEOMF includes line of duty deaths across, state, county, city, military, tribal, and U.S. Territory law enforcement agencies.