Page:Law Enforcement Officers 1996.pdf/10

 officers were slain when the bullets penetrated their protective vests. Four officers were killed by the wounds in the back area and/or lower abdominal area not protected by their vest. Thirteen officers wearing body armor were slain by weapons other than firearms. Seven were intentionally struck by vehicles; 2 were stabbed; 2 were beaten; 1 was struck on the head with a bucket of spackling compound; and 1 was struck with a metal flashlight. Places The most populous region, the Southern States, reported 24 of the 55 officers’ fatalities in 1996. The Midwestern States reported 15; the Northeastern States reported 9; and the Western States reported 6 officers slain. Puerto Rico reported 1. A comparison of regional totals for the two periods, 1987-1991 and 1992-1996, shows that the number of officers killed during the latter 5year span increased both in the Northeastern States and the Western States, and decreased both in the Midwestern States and the Southern States.

from 6:01 p.m.S6 a.m. The figures show the 4-hour period from 4:01 a.m.S8 a.m. to be the hours when the fewest officers were slain and the 6-hour period from 8:01 p.m.S2 a.m. to be when the greatest number was recorded. Daily figures for the decade, 1987-1996, show more officers were slain on Fridays than on any other day of the week; the lowest number of fatalities was recorded on Sundays. A review of the monthly totals for the same years shows January and April with the highest figures, 76 and 65, respectively. Accidental Deaths Forty-five officers lost their lives due to accidents occurring while performing their official duties in 1996. Thirty-two officers were killed in automobile, motorcycle, and aircraft accidents; 6 were accidentally struck by vehicles; 2 were accidentally shot; and 5 were killed in other types of accidents such as falls, drownings, etc. Regionally, the Southern States recorded 22 accidental deaths; the Western States, 10; the Northeastern States, 7; and the Midwestern States, 6.

Times In the past 10 years, 62 percent of the incidents resulting in officers’ deaths occurred

5