Ted Oberg Investigates

13 Investigates: Deadly year for Texas officers

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Despite the recent and tragic officer deaths, statistics show 2019 is likely to be a safer year for officers across the country. In Texas, it is not as safe.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston Sgt. Chris Brewster and Nassau Bay Sgt. Kaila Sullivan are just two of six law enforcement officers who died in the Line of Duty in the last seven days across our country according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. ODMP.org is a national clearinghouse for information on Line of Duty deaths.

The deadly total includes not only Brewster and Sullivan, but Detective Joseph Seals from Jersey City, NJ and Officer Stephen Carr from the Fayetteville, Arkansas police department. Carr has family ties to the Houston area.

Despite the tragic tally recently, statistics show 2019 is likely to be a safer year for officers across the country. According to ODMP.org, 117 officers have died in the line of duty through Dec. 10, 2019. Last year, 166 active-duty officer died.

According to ODMP.org, 117 officers have died in the line of duty through Dec. 10, 2019.

ODMP counts officers who were killed intentionally and accidentally.

In Texas, it is not as safe. Statistics show 14 officers have died in the line of duty this year. That is more than last year and is higher than six of the last eight years. There were 14 Texas deaths in 2017. In 2016, 20 Texas officers died in the line of duty, including five killed in a Dallas ambush.

In Texas, statistics show 14 officers have died in the line of duty this year. That is more than last year and higher than six of the last eight years.

Gunfire, which killed Sgt. Brewster, is always the leading cause of death for officers. Vehicular assault, which is how Sgt. Sullivan died, is the number two cause of intentional death.

Gunfire is the leading cause of death for officers. Vehicular assault is the number two cause of intentional death.

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