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Law Enforcement Fatalities Spike Again in 2011

A Closer Look:

The research and analysis conducted by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund helps to bring widespread attention to the dangers officers continue to face and, as importantly, helps point to areas where we need to do a better job in protecting our officers.

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Law Enforcement Fatalities Spike Again in 2011

According to preliminary data released today by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 173 officers have been killed during 2011 — up 13 percent from 153 line-of-duty deaths in 2010.

For the first time in 14 years, firearms deaths outnumber traffic-related fatalities, perhaps signaling a positive impact training has had on law enforcement.

Total Fatalities: 1961-2011

Especially troubling, 68 officers were shot and killed during the past year, an increase of 15 percent over the 59 killed by gunfire in 2010. A majority of these fatalities occurred as police officers were attempting an arrest, responding to domestic disturbance calls, or investigating suspicious persons or circumstances.

“Drastic budget cuts affecting law enforcement agencies across the country have put our officers at grave risk,” declared NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd.

More information is available in the full 2011 Preliminary End of Year Report at www.LawMemorial.org/ResearchBulletin.

Robert J. Miller (1934 - 2011)

Robert J. "Bob" Miller, 77, of Belleville, Ill., born Nov. 5, 1934, in Leadington, Mo., died Nov. 24, 2011, in Belleville, Ill.

Mr. Miller was a St. Clair County Deputy Sheriff for 40 years before retiring. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing; he formerly was a member of the Mid State Bass Anglers. 

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, William E. Miller.

Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years, Betty J., nee Richardson, Miller of Belleville, Ill.; his two sons, William (Angela) Miller of Sorento, Ill., and Craig (Jennifer Jarrell) Miller of Shiloh, Ill.; grandchildren, Michelle (Joshua) Kee, John (Trish) Carrico, Kyle Jarrell, and Kristen Maisel; and a great-granddaughter, Bethany Renee Kee.

Memorials are appreciated to the . Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Ill.

Funeral: Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011, at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.

LAKE VIEW FUNERAL HOME, Fairview Heights, Ill.

Published in Belleville News-Democrat on November 27, 2011

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/belleville/obituary.aspx?n=robert-j-miller&pid=154756957&fhid=8524#ixzz1evMRhuBU

 

Law Enforcement Fatalities Increase 14% in First Half of 2011; Firearms-related Fatalities Reach 20-Year High

Following an alarming 25% increase in 2010, the number of law enforcement fatalities in the U.S. have continued to rise in the first six months of 2011.

Total Fatalities: Mid-Year 1961-2011

Preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund show a disturbing 33% increase in firearms-related fatalities, up from 30 fatalities during the same time period in 2010 to 40 officers shot and killed in 2011.

Traditionally the leading cause of law enforcement fatalities, traffic-related fatalities declined 17% in the first half of the year, from 42 in 2010 to 35 in 2011.

More information is available in the full 2011 Preliminary Mid-Year Report at www.LawMemorial.org/ResearchBulletin

Alarming Rise in 2010 Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities

Line-of-duty deaths surge nearly 40 percent; firearms-related killings increase by more than 20 percent for second year in a row

December 27, 2010

Washington, DC– The number of U.S. law enforcement fatalities spiked by 37 percent in 2010—an alarming increase that follows two years of declining deaths among our nation’s policing professionals.

A total of 160 federal, state and local law enforcement officers died in the line of duty during the past 12 months, according to preliminary data compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). This represents a dramatic increase over the 117 officer fatalities in 2009, which marked a 50-year low.

Fifty-nine officers have been shot and killed during the past year, which is a 20 percent increase over the 49 killed by gunfire in 2009. Ten of the officers shot to death this year were killed in separate multiple-death incidents in Fresno (CA), San Juan (PR), West Memphis (AR), Tampa (FL) and Hoonah (AK). “A more brazen, cold-blooded criminal element is on the prowl in America, and they don’t think twice about killing a cop,” observed NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd.

Law Enforcement Fatalities Spike in 2010

Following a two year decline, law enforcement fatalities in 2010 spiked to 160. This was an increase of nearly 40 percent compared to last year, when 117 officers were killed in the line of duty.

Preliminary data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund show that for the 13th year in a row, traffic fatalities were the leading cause of officer fatalities, with 73 officers killed in the line of duty—an increase of 43 percent from 2009.

Fifty-nine officers were fatally shot this year; an increase of 20 percent from 49 in 2009. Of the 59 officers, 12 were shot in ambush attacks. Ten of the 12 ambush deaths involved multiple-fatality shootings in Fresno (CA), San Juan (PR), West Memphis (AR), Tampa (FL) and Hoonah (AK). “A more brazen, cold-blooded criminal element is on the prowl in America, and they don’t think twice about killing a cop,” observed NLEOMF Chairman Craig W. Floyd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traffic and firearms-related fatalities accounted for over 83 percent of all law enforcement fatalities this year. In addition, nineteen officers died from job-related illnesses, two were beaten, two drowned, two were victims of aircraft accidents, two officers fell to his/her death, and one was killed in a boating accident.

For the fourth year in a row, Texas leads all states and territories with 18 fatalities, 11 percent of all fatalities in 2010. California (11), Illinois (10), and Florida (9), join Texas atop the list of the states with the most fatalities.

More information is available in the full 2010 Preliminary End of Year Report at www.LawMemorial.org/ResearchBulletin.

Man accused of killing Centreville cop is ruled fit to stand trial

Posted on Thu, Oct. 14, 2010

BY CAROLYN P. SMITH
News-Democrat

A Cahokia man accused of fatally wounding a Centreville police officer has been ruled fit to stand trial by a St. Clair County judge.

Lemuel Houston, 23, has been returned to the St. Clair County Jail waiting trial on first-degree murder charges in the June 2, 2009, shooting death of Gregory Jonas, a 15-year veteran of the Centreville Police Department who was well-liked in the community.

Houston has spent nearly a year after being treated at the Chester Mental Health Center. He was booked back into the county jail this week.

On Nov. 5, St. Clair County Judge John Baricevic wrote an order that said, "The court finds that if the defendant (Houston) was provided a course of in-patient treatment, there's a substantial probability that he'd be able to attain fitness within the course of one year."

St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl Justus said Houston was transferred to the Chester hospital on Nov. 20, "once a bed became available there."

Houston was returned to Baricevic's courtroom on Tuesday when his treatment at the Chester facility was finished and he was found fit to stand trial, Justus said.

Houston's trial is scheduled for Dec. 7. His bail is set at $1 million.

Jonas was popular among the young and old for the way he talked to people and his passion for the job he did. He did everything he could to keep the citizens of Centreville stay safe and encouraged young people to stay off of the corners and out of gangs.

Residents and community activists referred to Jonas as the "grandfather of the streets," and said he was a mentor and role model to young people.

Contact reporter Carolyn P. Smith at 239-2503.

© 2007 Belleville News-Democrat and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.belleville.com

After 50-Year Low, Officer Fatalities Surge in First Half of 2010

After reaching a 50-year low in 2009, the number of U.S. law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty surged nearly 43 percent during the first six months of 2010, according to preliminary data released this week by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. If the mid-year trend continues, 2010 could end up being one of the deadliest years for law enforcement in two decades. A preliminary total of 87 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty between January 1 and June 30, 2010. That compares with 61 officers who were killed during the first six months of 2009, an increase of 42.6 percent. All major categories of officer deaths rose sharply during the first half of 2010: firearms-related fatalities by 41 percent; traffic-related deaths, 35 percent; and all other fatalities combined, 75 percent. Complete details in our latest Research Bulletin.

2010 Law Enforcement Memorial

Lamont Reid 10-42

Video by Angela Brown

Guns and Hoses Softball

Save the date. Saturday, August 28, 2010. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the BackStoppers! Last year we raised $5000.00.