As of the August 9, 2018, the number of police deaths from gunfire is at 37. If the current trend continues, this year could be one of the bloodiest we’ve experienced in the last decade.
2018 Police Deaths
Cops are being shot and killed at an average of five per month. At the present rate, there could be 60 police deaths this year. That would rank 2018 as the third deadliest year for cops in the last ten years.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, February was the year’s worst month with nine officers killed by gunfire. Police died in Colorado, California, Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Alabama and Maryland. There were also two officers killed in Ohio in the same incident in the Columbus suburb of Westerville.
Police Deaths Historically
Compared to this time last year, 2018 is out-pacing 2017. By August 6, 2017, there were 29 police deaths. We are already eight beyond that number this year.
To get a broader view of how 2018 is measuring up over the last decade is difficult. There are still nearly five months left in the year. However, we can compare the number of police deaths between January and July for each year to get an idea of how 2018 is shaping up:
- 2018 – 36 between January and July
- 2017 – 28 (out of 43 total)
- 2016 – 33 (out of 65 total)
- 2015 – 17 (out of 41 total)
- 2014 – 27 (out of 48 total)
- 2013 – 20 (out of 32 total)
- 2012 – 21 (out of 48 total)
- 2011 – 45 (out of 68 total)
- 2010 – 37 (out of 59 total)
- 2009 – 28 (out of 48 total)
- 2008 – 25 (out of 41 total)
2018 has the second most cop killings when you compare seven-month periods with 36. It follows 2010, which had 37.
To put that year in context, the total number of police deaths was 59 and that made 2010 the second deadliest year for cops over the ten-year period. The worst was 2011 with 68 police deaths.
The Bottom Line
We don’t know what will happen over the next 4 ½ months. But there is a strong likelihood that more cop murders will occur.
There have been an average of 16.8 cop killings during the last four months of each year. If that holds true, we could experience 53 police deaths this year.
In such a dangerous world, you need to take steps to keep your property and loved ones safe. Call American Security Force at 855-722-8585 to learn how.
