iStock.com/avid_creative

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) has released their Mid-Year Report with sobering statistics that show this year could be the deadliest on record for law enforcement.

The NLEOMF is a nonprofit founded in 1984 that honors the names of all officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The organization releases reports each year with officer fatality statistics and other relevant data.

According to the organization, there have been 155 line-of-duty officer deaths, with COVID-19 as the top cause. In 2021, 71 officers have died after catching COVID on the job.

Traffic fatalities are also up 58%, with 19 officers being fatally hit by vehicles.

Texas has the highest fatality rate with 25 officers, followed by 15 federal agency deaths, 13 in Georgia, 13 in California, and 10 in Florida. 33 officers were feloniously killed – 28 by gunfire, three by beating, and two by stabbing.

CEO of NLEOMF Marcia Ferranto said this year’s numbers were tragic. “These numbers are a tragic reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers are exposed to each and every day. The last two years have been incredibly difficult and dangerous for law enforcement. We will continue our work to honor the fallen and ensure that their sacrifice is never forgotten. We support those law enforcement officers who continue to work to keep our communities safe. They are our true heroes.”

If the grim trend continues at the same rate, 2021 will be the second year in a row to break historical records for line-of-duty officer deaths.

2020 was the deadliest year on record since 1974, according to a CNN report.