Gun-related police officer deaths have skyrocketed this year.
Data from the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund shows firearm-related deaths of law enforcement officers are up 1,000 percent. In 2016, at least 11 officers have died in gun-related incidents, but the same time last year, only one officer had died.
Despite the increase in gun-related deaths, the total number of deaths is lower than the same time last year, but that is largely because many more law enforcement officers died in traffic incidents. In 2015, eight officers had been killed in traffic incidents by this time last year, but only two have died so far this year, according to the data.
California, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Utah have lost one officer in 2016. Maryland and Colorado have seen two deaths each.
Florida was nearly added to that list Friday when a man opened fire on a Miami police officer during a traffic stop.
“Before the officer was able to get out of his car, he was attacked with a barrage of gunfire from the vehicle,” Miami police Chief Rodolfo Llanes told reporters at a news conference. “The assailant got back in the car and took off and the officer bravely followed him to try to apprehend him.”
The officer did not fire back and was not hurt. Four people were arrested in connection with the incident.
“This could have easily turned into something else,” Sgt. Freddie Cruz told Local 10.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect another officer’s death.
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