2 MA Police Officers Killed in Line of Duty in 2014: New FBI Data

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Wednesday, May 13, 2015

GoLocalWorcester News Team and FindtheBest

On Monday, the FBI released its preliminary data on police officers killed in the line of duty in the United States in 2014. According to the report, titled 2014 Preliminary Statistics for Law Enforcement Officers Killed in the Line of Duty, 51 law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty last year - a 89% increase from the 27 officers killed in 2013. An additional 44 officers were killed accidentally while on duty.

SEE BELOW: Interactive Map: Officers Killed in Line of Duty 2004-2013

In Massachusetts, two officers were killed on duty in 2014. Officer Dennis Simmonds of the Boston Police Department died from a brain anuerysm following a head injury due to schrapnel from an explosive devise detonated during a shootout with the Boston Marathon bombers nearly a year prior. Officer Simmonds served with the BPD for six years.

Ten days before Officer Simmonds died, Officer Gregory Maloney of the Plymouth Police Department died in a motorcycle accident while on patrol. Officer Maloney served with the department for 17 years.

Across the country, 46 out of the 51 officers feloniously killed fell victim to offenders using firearms. Four officers were killed with a motor vehicle used as a weapon.

Findings across U.S. for officers feloniously killed:

- 11 Officers Died from Injuries Inflicted as a Result of Answering Disturbance Calls
- 10 Officers Died While Conducting Traffic Pursuits or Stops
- Eight Officers Were Killed as a Result of Ambush
- Six Officers Died Investigating Suspicious Persons or Circumstances
- Five Officers Sustained Fatal Injuries Performing Investigative Activities
- Four Officers Were Killed in Tactical Situations
- Three Officers Were Killed Handling Persons with Mental Illness
- One Officer was Slain During a Drug-Related Matter
- Three Other Officers wer Killed While Attempting Other Arrests