More than 60 law enforcement officers have died in firearms-related incidents in 2016, marking a 68% increase since 2015, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reported.
Texas has seen the most fatalities this year with 19. So far this year, 138 officers have died nationwide.
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The worst single attack was in July, when a black military veteran killed five white officers at a protest in Dallas — the deadliest day for American law enforcement since Sept. 11, 2001. Ten days later, a former Marine killed three Baton Rouge, La., police officers.
Vehicle related deaths have been the leading cause in line of duty deaths for the last 20 years but this year it will take a back seat to felonious deaths. 55 police officers have died in vehicle related incidents which is a 17% increase from 2015.
“So much dialogue has centered around race relations, but there is a hatred in this country right now that’s just gotten out of control,” Floyd said. “There is a lack of respect for government in general, and the most visible and vulnerable symbol of government in America is patrolling our streets in marked cars.”
