2016 has been the deadliest year since 2011 for law enforcement officers nationwide, according to preliminary data by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. 

  • 2016 deadliest year for law enforcement officers nationwide since 2011
  • 135 officers were killed in 2016, a 10% increase from 2015
  • Ambush-style killings increased this year too, report said

The 135 officer fatalities in 2016 are a 10 percent increase over the 123 who died in the line of duty last year and is the highest total since 2011, when 177 officers made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Of those 135 officer fatalities, seven were Florida officers, including one K-9 officer.

“Every single time an officer falls, our communities lose so much more than a public servant. We lose a friend, a family member, a loved one… but most of all, we lose heroes who were willing to sacrifice everything to keep us safe,” said Coconut Creek Police Chief Butch Arenal, President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association. “That kind of sacrifice isn’t common, but it’s the only reason we become law enforcement officers. These numbers represent true tragedy.”

The report stated that ambush-style killings of law enforcement officers were on the rise this year. 

According to NLEOMF, firearms-related incidents were the number one cause of death in 2016, with 64 officers shot and killed across the country. This is a 56 percent increase over the 41 officers killed by gunfire in 2015. 

Of the 64 deaths this year, 21 were ambush-style attacks, which is the highest total in more than two decades. 

“We should all be outraged that so many law enforcement officers were targeted specifically because of their calling,” said Chief Arenal. “If this continues, who will be our protectors? It is becoming much more difficult to recruit good men and women to law enforcement because their own communities may turn against them. Our national and state leaders should join us in doing everything in our power to condemn these actions.”

The following Florida officers lost their lives in 2016:

Deputy Eric James Oliver, Nassau County Sheriff's Office, FL

  • EOW: Tuesday, November 22, 2016
  • Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

K-9 Forest, Volusia County Sheriff's Office, FL

  • EOW: Tuesday, November 22, 2016
  • Cause of Death: Gunfire

Officer Jorge Sanchez, Miami Police Department, FL

  • EOW: Tuesday, November 1, 2016
  • Cause of Death: Automobile crash

Deputy Scott Williams, Taylor County Sheriff's Office, FL

  • EOW: Monday, October 31, 2016
  • Cause of Death: Automobile crash

Sergeant Jorge Ramos, Florida Department of Corrections

  • EOW: Sunday, May 1, 2016
  • Cause of Death: Heart attack

Deputy John Robert Kotfila, Jr., Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

  • EOW: Saturday, March 12, 2016
  • Cause of Death: Vehicular assault

Special Agent Scott McGuire, U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  • EOW: Sunday, January 24, 2016
  • Cause of Death: Vehicular assault