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Gun Deaths Among Law Enforcement Up 700 Percent

REUTERS/George Frey

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Casey Harper Contributor
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Gun deaths among law enforcement have skyrocketed this year due largely to a slew of police officer deaths this week.

At least five on-duty police officers were killed during a four-day period this week. A Colorado sheriff’s deputy was fatally shot Monday followed by two Sheriff deputies Wednesday in Maryland, CNN reports. Police officers in Georgia and North Dakota were killed this week as well. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 11 officers have been killed on duty so far this year.

While that number is lower than the 13 killed at this time last year, the statistic is still troubling. Last year, more officers had died at this time but those were in mostly traffic-related deaths. If you only count officers who were killed in firearm-related deaths, this year’s numbers are up 700 percent. Eight officers have been killed this year in gun-related deaths while this time last year that number was only one.

The Natinoal Sheriff’s Association called out the “senseless killing” of police this week, which comes “on the heels of the anti-police ‘entertainment’ at the Sunday Super Bowl halftime show – reminds us that the men and women in law enforcement take a solemn oath that includes putting their lives on the line every day to protect our citizens.”

The group called on everyone to wear blue Friday to show their support for law enforcement.

And politicians, citizens and local law enforcement across the country joined in.

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