For Immediate Release
May 15, 2000

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office

Preliminary statistics released today by the FBI indicate that nationwide there were 42 law enforcement officers feloniously slain in the line of duty in 1999, the lowest recorded figure for more than 35 years. The total shows a decrease of 19 officer deaths when compared with the 1998 annual count of 61, and 28 fewer deaths than the 1997 figure.

During 1999, firearms continued to be the weapon most frequently used in the killing of officers. Twenty-five officers were slain with handguns, 11 with rifles, and 5 with shotguns. One officer was killed with a vehicle. Twenty-seven officers were wearing body armor at the time of their deaths, and 5 were slain with their own weapons.

Regionally, 20 officers were slain in the South, 11 in the West, 6 in the Midwest, and 5 in the Northeast.

Twelve officers lost their lives during arrest situations: 6 were serving arrest warrants; 3 were attempting to prevent robberies or apprehend robbery suspects; 2 were investigating drug-related situations; and 1 was attempting to prevent a burglary or apprehend a burglary suspect. Eight officers were murdered while enforcing traffic laws, 7 while investigating suspicious persons or circumstances, 7 while answering disturbance calls, 6 while encountering ambush situations, and 2 while handling prisoners.

There were 39 separate incidents in which 42 officers were slain during 1999. Thirty-eight of these incidents have been cleared by arrest or exceptional means. Two suspects remain at large.

According to preliminary 1999 statistics, an additional 63 officers were accidentally killed in the performance of their duties. This total represents a decrease of 18 when compared with the 81 accidental deaths that occurred in 1998.

Final statistics and complete details will be released in the Uniform Crime Reporting Program's publication Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted—1999 expected to be distributed in the fall of this year.