INDIANA – National Law Enforcement Day is Tuesday, January 9, and it’s the perfect time to show officers we understand how difficult their job is and appreciate their sacrifice and risk.
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was created by multiple organizations in 2015 to express their gratitude for officers in the United States. In support of their services, citizens are encouraged to do their part in thanking law enforcement on this day.
This special day was triggered by the chain of events in 2014 when a police officer was involved in a crossfire shooting in Missouri. The backlash and violence that followed this event led C.O.P.S (Concerns of Police Survivors) to take the initiative to change this negative portrayal of police officers in the news in recent years into a positive one. With more than 900,000 officers in the United States, the organization believes it is essential to support law enforcers during difficult times, and a day dedicated to them does just that. The day also raises awareness of the importance of understanding that the difficult decisions taken by police officers are in the best interest of citizens and the law.
According to preliminary data compiled by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, as of June 30, 2023, 52 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers died in the line of duty.
Of the 52 confirmed law enforcement line-of-duty deaths from January 1 to June 30, 2023, firearm-related fatalities were the leading cause of law enforcement deaths.
Eleven officers were killed in traffic-related incidents. Of the 11 traffic-related fatalities, eight were automobile crashes and one was a motorcycle crash.
Only two officers had been reported as having succumbed to complications from COVID-19. Fourteen additional officers died of other causes. Eight officers died from health-related illnesses, such as heart attacks and strokes. The remaining six officers died as a result of falling, drowning, fire-related incidents, and aircraft crashes.
Six Indiana officers lost their lives in the line of duty in 2023:
Deputy Sheriff Timothy J. Guyer of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department died on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, of a heart attack.
Deputy Sheriff John Durm of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department died on Monday, July 10, 2023, in an assault.
Sergeant Heather Glenn of the Tell City Police Department died on Monday, July 3, 2023, from gunfire.
Indiana State Police Trooper Aaron N. Smith died on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, from a vehicular assault.
Indiana State Police Master Trooper James R. Bailey died on Friday, March 3, 2023, from a vehicular assault.
Deputy Sheriff Asson Hacker of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department died from a duty-related illness on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
