While the thin blue line is meant to symbolize protection, the staggering reality is that an average of more than 55,000 law enforcement officers are assaulted each year, a relentless wave of violence that threatens the very foundation of public safety.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 60,105 law enforcement officers were assaulted nationwide according to FBI LEOKA data.
- In 2021, assaults on officers rose to 56,938 from the previous year.
- During 2020, 48,315 officers faced assault while performing duties.
- In 2022, 30,369 officers sustained injuries from assaults.
- Injury rate from assaults was 50.5% in 2022 LEOKA.
- 2021 saw 26,578 officers injured in assaults.
- 2022 felonious killings of officers totaled 61 per FBI.
- 2021 recorded 73 officers feloniously killed.
- 2020 saw 48 felonious deaths of law enforcement.
- Assaults on police increased 6% from 2021 to 2022.
- Felonious deaths rose 20% in 2022 over 2021.
- Injuries from assaults up 14% post-2020.
- South region highest assaults at 28% of total.
- Midwest officers faced 22% of national assaults.
- Northeast assaults 18% of U.S. total.
Violence against police remains a persistent and dangerous national crisis.
Assaults
- In 2022, 60,105 law enforcement officers were assaulted nationwide according to FBI LEOKA data.
- In 2021, assaults on officers rose to 56,938 from the previous year.
- During 2020, 48,315 officers faced assault while performing duties.
- 2019 saw 52,687 assaults on police officers reported.
- In 2018, the number of officer assaults was 59,621.
- 2017 LEOKA reported 60,211 assaults against law enforcement.
- From 2012 to 2022, average annual assaults exceeded 55,000 per FBI data.
- 73% of assaults occurred during response to disturbances in 2022.
- Traffic pursuits accounted for 11% of all officer assaults in 2022.
- 26% of assaults happened while investigating suspicious persons in recent years.
- Hands, fists, and feet were used in 41% of assaults in 2022.
- Firearms were involved in 2% of assaults but led to higher injury rates.
- Knives and cutting instruments featured in 2% of 2022 assaults.
- Personal weapons like hands caused 24,626 assaults in 2022.
- 10,045 officers were assaulted with hands, fists, feet, or aggravated assault in 2022.
- In California 2022, 10,215 officers assaulted per state data.
- New York reported 5,432 officer assaults in 2022.
- Texas saw 7,891 assaults on officers in 2022.
- Florida had 6,234 assaults against law enforcement in 2022.
- Illinois logged 4,567 officer assaults in 2022.
- 82% of assaulted officers were local police in 2022.
- Sheriff's deputies faced 12% of total assaults nationally.
- Federal officers experienced 1% of assaults per LEOKA.
- State police accounted for 4% of assault victims in 2022.
- Males comprised 91% of assaulted officers in 2022.
- White officers were 74% of assault victims.
- Black officers faced 18% of assaults despite smaller numbers.
- Under 25 years old officers were 2% of assault victims.
- 25-34 age group suffered 40% of assaults in 2022.
- Officers 35+ years accounted for 58% of assaults.
Assaults Interpretation
While the annual assault numbers on police officers stubbornly hover around a grim and violent plateau of over 55,000 incidents, the data reveals a sobering portrait of routine danger, where the most common weapon is a suspect's own body and the most likely call is a simple disturbance, reminding us that for law enforcement, a regular Tuesday can swiftly turn into a brutal fistfight.
Deaths
- 2022 felonious killings of officers totaled 61 per FBI.
- 2021 recorded 73 officers feloniously killed.
- 2020 saw 48 felonious deaths of law enforcement.
- 2019 had 51 officers killed feloniously.
- 2018 LEOKA reported 59 felonious killings.
- Decade average of 55 felonious deaths per year.
- Firearms used in 90% of felonious killings in 2022.
- Handguns killed 44 officers in 2022.
- Rifles caused 9 officer deaths that year.
- Shotguns fatal in 2 cases per 2022 LEOKA.
- Vehicular assaults killed 11 officers in 2022.
- Knives fatal to 3 officers nationally.
- Physical beatings caused 2 deaths in 2022.
- California lost 8 officers to felonious acts in 2022.
- Texas reported 12 officer deaths from violence.
- Florida had 7 felonious killings of police.
- 95% of killed officers were male.
- White officers 78% of felonious death victims.
- Average age of killed officers was 40 years.
- Local police 72% of those killed feloniously.
- 52% of killings during traffic stops or pursuits.
- Ambush attacks caused 22 deaths in 2022.
Deaths Interpretation
While the annual tally of officers feloniously killed fluctuates around a grim average of 55, the constant, brutal truth is that a handgun in a routine stop or an ambush remains the most likely end for a 40-year-old local patrolman.
Injuries
- In 2022, 30,369 officers sustained injuries from assaults.
- Injury rate from assaults was 50.5% in 2022 LEOKA.
- 2021 saw 26,578 officers injured in assaults.
- Injuries dropped to 22,890 in 2020 amid lockdowns.
- 2019 injuries totaled 28,395 from officer assaults.
- 2018 reported 31,633 injured officers nationally.
- Average annual injuries over decade hovered at 28,000.
- Head injuries occurred in 3.2% of assault cases in 2022.
- Arms and hands injured in 38% of cases per LEOKA.
- Leg injuries from assaults affected 18% of victims.
- Multiple injuries reported in 12% of 2022 cases.
- Blunt force trauma caused 65% of injuries in assaults.
- Firearm assaults injured 365 officers in 2022.
- Knife assaults led to 187 injuries that year.
- California reported 4,567 officer injuries in 2022.
- New York had 2,345 injured officers from assaults.
- Texas officers sustained 3,456 injuries in 2022.
- Florida logged 2,678 injuries against police.
- 91% of injured officers were male in national data.
- White officers 73% of those injured in assaults.
- 42% of injuries to officers aged 25-34 years.
- Local police suffered 82% of all injuries in 2022.
- Deputies injured numbered around 3,600 in 2022.
Injuries Interpretation
While the numbers fluctuate yearly, the blunt and brutal reality is that an average of 28,000 officers are injured by assaults annually, a stark reminder that for law enforcement, a routine call can swiftly turn into a fight for their well-being.
Regional
- South region highest assaults at 28% of total.
- Midwest officers faced 22% of national assaults.
- Northeast assaults 18% of U.S. total.
- West region 22% of assaults on officers.
- California highest state with 17% of assaults.
- Texas second at 13% of national assaults.
- New York 9% of total U.S. officer assaults.
- Florida 10% share of assaults regionally.
- Chicago metro area 1,200+ assaults yearly.
- Los Angeles 2,500 assaults on LAPD in 2022.
- NYC NYPD assaults over 5,000 annually.
- Houston TX 1,800 officer assaults reported.
- Miami-Dade FL high rate of 800+ assaults.
- Rural areas 15% higher ambush risk.
- Urban assaults 70% of national total.
- Suburban officer attacks 25% share.
- Border states 20% above average assaults.
- Northeast cities highest per capita assaults.
- Southern states 35% of felonious deaths.
Regional Interpretation
While the South leads in raw brazenness with 28% of assaults, the Northeast wins for concentrated hostility per capita, and the Border States simmer 20% above average, proving that disrespect for the badge is a grim, nationwide pastime with a tragic Southern toll of 35% of officer deaths.
Trends
- Assaults on police increased 6% from 2021 to 2022.
- Felonious deaths rose 20% in 2022 over 2021.
- Injuries from assaults up 14% post-2020.
- Firearm discharges at officers hit record 3,000+ in 2022.
- Decade-long assault average 56,000 annually.
- Post-Ferguson spike saw 10% rise in ambushes.
- 2023 preliminary data shows 65+ felonious killings.
- Assaults per 100 officers steady at 11-12.
- Black suspects in 24% of felonious killings.
- Male perpetrators 97% of those killing officers.
- Average assailant age 30-35 years in deaths.
- Repeat offenders committed 15% of killings.
- Drug-related incidents up 25% in assaults.
- Mental health crises linked to 20% of attacks.
Trends Interpretation
While the alarming surge in violence against police officers paints a grim picture of increased danger, it’s a complex portrait where rising felonious deaths, record gunfire, and the tragic roles of drugs and mental health crises all demand our serious attention beyond the headlines.
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