This is the news for tonight. There has been a significant increase in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty so far this year. In the first half of 2024, 71 police officers nationwide lost their lives protecting their communities. That's an average of about one every five days. Four of those deaths were here in North Carolina, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The 71 killed in the line of duty is a 15% increase compared to the first six months of last year. So far, 28 of the 71 have been deaths by gunfire. This was the leading cause of police deaths, accounting for about 40% of the total about two and a half months ago. As you may recall, all of these officers were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man in Charlotte. Four other officers were injured that day, making this the worst police attack in the United States in the past eight years. Overall, gun deaths are up 8% and traffic fatalities are up 136% in the first half of this year. The CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund says one reason traffic numbers are so high is because last year's totals were much lower than normal. He thinks the interim report highlights the growing dangers of the profession. The broader conversation about law enforcement, and I would argue, negative attitudes about law enforcement, have enough of an impact on these interactions, heightening the dangers for the men and women who step between us and danger to keep us safe. North Carolina has had interstate travel since 2002. Drivers are required by law to stay one lane away from emergency responders working on the side of the highway.
North Carolina sees second-highest number of police fatalities in U.S. in first half of this year
15% increase in deaths in the line of duty compared to the first half of 2023
The number of police officers killed in the line of duty through the first half of 2024 has increased significantly compared to the same period last year, according to a new report released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. From early January to the end of June, 71 law enforcement officers nationwide lost their lives protecting their communities. That's an average of about one every five days, and a 15 percent increase from 2023. The most common culprit in this year's incidents was a firearm, accounting for 28 of the 71 deaths, or nearly 40 percent. TOP STORIES Forsyth County Sheriff Detains Suspect After Assault at Tanglewood Park Fayetteville Postal Worker Dies After Spending Hours in Mail Truck on 35-C Day Retired Kernersville Police Officer in Myrtle Beach Helps Family Members Resuscitate Man Swept Away by Rip Current Click Here for the Latest News Stories Two and a half months ago, a gunman opened fire on officers trying to execute a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina, resulting in the deaths of four officers. Adult Corrections officers Sam Porosch and William Elliott, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer, and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks were killed and four other officers were injured in what is the worst attack on police in eight years. Overall, gun deaths have increased 8% so far this year, while traffic deaths have increased 136%. NLEOMF CEO Bill Alexander said one reason traffic volumes are so high is because the totals for the first six months of last year were much lower than normal. He thinks the interim report highlights the growing dangers of the job overall. “The broader discourse and, I would argue, negative attitudes toward and about law enforcement have had enough of an impact on these interactions, increasing the dangers for the men and women who step between us and the dangers that are trying to keep us safe,” Alexander said.North Carolina has a lane-changing law that requires drivers to stay one lane away from emergency responders working on the side of the highway, as long as it is safe to do so at the time. WATCH: NOWCAST STREAMING NEWSCASTNAVIGATE: HOME | WEATHER | WATCH NOWCAST TV | LOCAL NEWS | NATIONAL | YOUR FAVORITE NEWS |DOWNLOAD THE WXII APP HERE TO KEEP CATCHING THE LATEST NEWS AND WEATHER
The number of police officers killed in the line of duty in the first six months of 2024 is up significantly compared to the same period a year ago.
A new report released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shows that between early January and the end of June, 71 law enforcement officers across the country lost their lives protecting their communities, an average of about one every five days and a 15 percent increase over 2023.
Firearms were the most common cause of death this year, accounting for 28 of the 71 deaths, or about 40 percent.
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Two and a half months ago, a gunman opened fire on police officers serving a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina, killing four people. Adult Corrections Department officers Sam Polochet and William Elliott, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks were killed and four other officers were wounded. It was the first attack on police in nearly eight years.
Overall, gun deaths are up 8 percent so far this year, while traffic deaths are up 136 percent.
NLEOMF CEO Bill Alexander says one reason traffic is so high is because totals for the first six months of last year were much lower than usual, and he thinks the interim report highlights the increased danger of the job overall.
“The broader discourse about and about police and, in my opinion, negative attitudes toward police, are enough to influence these interactions and, as a result, increase the danger to the men and women who come between us and danger to try to keep us safe,” Alexander said.
North Carolina has a “lane change law” that says drivers must move one lane away when emergency responders are performing their duties on the side of the highway, as long as it is safe to change lanes at the time.
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