Fewer American law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 1992 than in any year since 1965, according to a recently released report.
The report indicates that 136 federal, state and local law enforcement officers died in the line of duty last year."In 1972, one of every 1,716 officers serving died in the line of duty," said Craig W. Floyd, chairman of National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "In 1992, one officer was killed for every 3,938 serving."
Floyd credited the trend to more officers serving, better training, improved equipment and more com-munity support. The report was issued by Floyd's group, together with Concerns of Police Survivors.
Of the 136 officers who died on duty during 1992, 82 were killed during assaults and 54 died in accidents.
Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Joseph Brumett was one such accident victim. He was killed Dec. 11 when he was struck by a vehicle on I-15.