SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Forty-one fewer police officers died in the line of duty last year than in 2007. That's an encouraging trend — a reflection of improvements in training, tactics and equipment.
Still, 140 officers nationwide gave their lives in service to their communities. That's 140 too many.
The vast majority of police deaths in 2008 were traffic-related, according to preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the group Concerns of Police Survivors.
It was the 11th straight year that more officers were killed in traffic incidents than from any other cause. Clearly, more needs to be done to protect officers at traffic stops or in road chases.
Some progress was made in New York after the death of state Trooper Craig Todeschini in April 2006. He was killed when the Chevrolet Tahoe he was driving crashed into a tree in Pompey Hill while in pursuit of a motorcyclist at more than 90 mph.
Afterward, state lawmakers increased penalties for motorists who flee from law enforcement officers. And state police changed how troopers were trained in turning and negotiating curves to give them a feel for how the top-heavy Tahoe reacts to evasive driving. State police said Todeschini was going too fast for the conditions on the road.
Overall, police around the country are better trained in high-speed and defensive driving techniques. Police vehicles, too, now have better safety equipment, including side air bags and a substance installed near the gas tank to suppress fire when the vehicle is struck.
All that is good. But the fact that 71 officers were killed in traffic incidents last year shows that more improvements are needed. Seventeen of those 71 died while outside their vehicles, an increase from the previous year. That's despite the increased publicity and enforcement of "move over" laws and other safety measures.
Police deaths by gunfire also are too high, even though gunfire fatalities in 2008 represented the lowest total since 1956. Forty-one officers were shot and killed last year, compared to 68 in 2007.
More than 70 percent of policemen now regularly wear bullet-resistant vests, compared to fewer than half a decade ago. And officers are making better use of Taser stun guns and other non-lethal weapons that keep them a safe distance from violent criminals.
Those who died in the line of duty last year spanned all races. Fifteen were women. Average age: 40. Average years on the force: 12.
Sometimes we forget just how dangerous law enforcement can be. Every cop deserves our thanks.
