Police Officer Deaths by Weapon

Police officers in the United States have died in a variety of ways, with firearms being the most common cause of death. A table published in the report reveals that out of the 16,214 police officer deaths recorded between 1786 and 2021, guns were the cause of death in over 10,000 cases.

The table below shows a breakdown of the types of weapons that caused the deaths of police officers. The most common type of gun used was an unknown type, which caused the deaths of 4,724 officers. Handguns were the second most common type of gun used, causing the deaths of 2,198 officers. Shotguns were used in 931 cases, while rifles were used in 512 cases.

Interestingly, the data also shows that automobiles were responsible for the deaths of 879 police officers, with 550 of those deaths involving alcohol. Other non-gun weapons such as edged weapons and blunt objects were responsible for a smaller number of deaths, with knives being the most common edged weapon used and pipes being the most common blunt object used.

It’s important to note that the data only reflects recorded police officer deaths, and does not take into account the circumstances surrounding those deaths. Additionally, the table does not provide information on the demographics of the officers who were killed or the suspects responsible for the deaths.

The following table provides a sobering look at the dangers that police officers face while performing their duties. As discussions continue on police reform and officer safety, this data may serve as a valuable resource in understanding the challenges that law enforcement personnel face every day.