Friday’s Heroes: Remembering The Fallen

 

The Graveyard Shift extends our condolences to the families of these brave officers.

Deputy Sheriff Matt Miller, 53

Seminole County Florida Sheriff’s Office

December 26, 2011 – Deputy Matt Miller was killed in a motorcycle crash while conducting a traffic stop. An oncoming vehicle turned in front of his motorcycle as he was catching up to a speeder. Deputy Miller is survived by his wife.

Officer Clifton Lewis, 41

Chicago Police Department

December 29, 2011 – Officer Clifton Lewis was working security inside a convenience store when two armed robbers entered the store and immediately shot Officer Lewis multiple times, killing him. The two killers then grabbed the officer’s badge and gun and fled the scene. Officer Lewis was working in the store due to recent robberies of the same business. He is survived by his fiance. The couple was recently engaged.

The scene outside M&M Quick Foods where Officer Lewis was gunned down – CBS Chicago image

*     *     *

2011 Law Enforcement Officer Fatalities

(From the page of the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund)

Preliminary 2011 Numbers

December 30, 2011

2011/2010 % Change

Total Fatalities 2011 = 173  2010 = 153 +13%

Firearms-related 2011 = 68  2010 = 59 +15%

Traffic-related 2011 = 64 2010 = 71

-10%

Other Causes 2011 = 41 2010 = 23

+78%

Please note: These numbers reflect total officer fatalities comparing December 30, 2011 to December 30, 2010. Stats do not reflect the recent death of Chicago Officer Clifton Lewis.

2011 Fatalities by State

Florida 14

Texas 13

New York 11

California 10

Georgia 10

Tennessee 7

North Carolina 7

Missouri 6

Ohio 6

Arizona 5

Louisiana 5

New Jersey 5

Michigan 5

Virginia 5

Pennsylvania 4

South Carolina 4

Alabama 3

Oregon 3

South Dakota 3

Colorado 2

Illinois 2

Indiana 2

Iowa 2

Kansas 2

Kentucky 2

Maryland 2

Mississippi 2

North Dakota 2

Oklahoma 2

Washington 2

Arkansas 1

Delaware 1

District of Columbia 1

Hawaii 1

Maine 1

Massachusetts 1

Minnesota 1

Montana 1

Nebraska 1

Wisconsin 1

Wyoming 1

Federal Agencies: 10

U.S. Territories: 4

Note: All data are preliminary and are subject to change.