I thought this would be of interest to many of you.  The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has just put out a release and newsletter announcing that the number of officers killed in the line of duty dropped by 23% in 2008.  In fact, the number who were killed by gunfire, according to the NLEOMF fell to a 50 year low.

However, while this is an improvement, of particular concern to your Secretary here, as I work in the Highway Safety business, is the fact that for the 11th year in a row NLEOMF says that more law enforcement officers died in traffic-related incidents than from any other single cause.  This too is in spite of the fact that deaths related to traffic incidents dropped by 14% compared to 2007.

So as I post this on New Year’s Eve…a very dangerous night on the roads, my 2009 wish for all of you who are first responders is to be especially careful on the roads.  Please buckle up, drive defensively, remember to set a good example behind the wheel for the rest of the public, and be ever vigilant when making traffic stops (or responding to roadside crashes or medical emergencies) of other vehicles who may not have the good sense to Move Over and out of the way for you…no matter what your state law says.

And keep the families of those who have fallen in the line of duty over the years in your hearts and prayers.  If you want to see the report click on the link below.  And have a safe and happy New Year!

http://nleomf.org/TheMemorial/Facts/2008_endyear_report.pdf