It comes as something of a relief that recent trends in law enforcement fatalities were reversed nationwide in the first half of 2012, even as we continue to mourn the 53 officers who died in the line of duty.

The news came Thursday as the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), in conjunction with the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), released preliminary statistics for the period Jan. 1 through June 30, 2012. Officer fatalities declined 44 percent over the 94 officers who lost their lives during the first half of 2011, a 52-year low. The reductions came across all circumstances, yet officer ambushes remain the leading circumstance of fatal shootings.

Memorial Fund Chairman and CEO Craig W. Floyd noted that after two years of rising numbers of peace officer fatalities, the law enforcement community joined together to raise awareness and make officer safety the utmost priority.

We agree and feel strongly that this is no time for complacency. Every peace officer must maintain top-of-mind awareness that policing is a dangerous profession requiring focus and vigilance for their personal safety. Let’s all resolve to work hard in Los Angeles in the second half of 2012 to do our part to maintain the positive national trend we are seeing at mid-year.

We invite you to share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.