Official FBI mid-year statistics are yet to be released, but it is clear that law enforcement officer deaths in the United States are up sharply compared with the same period last year. The Officer Down Memorial Page pegs the number of LEO in-the-line-of-duty deaths at mid-year at 90. That number represents a 30 percent increase over the 69 LEO deaths in the line of duty at the same point last year. Sadly, California leads the nation with nine of the 90 line-of-duty deaths.

PoliceOne.com, meanwhile, reports that a disturbing trend from 2009 is continuing this year with four more single incident/multiple officer killings so far this year, including one shocking case in California: On Feb. 25, Fresno County Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier was shot and killed as he and another deputy assisted the California Fire Marshall’s office in serving an arson warrant. As they approached the suspect’s mobile home, he fired a rifle at the deputies, killing Deputy Wahlenmaier and wounding his partner. Officer Javier Bejar of nearby Reedly, Calif. Police Department responded to an “officer needs assistance” call and was shot and critically wounded immediately upon his arrival. He succumbed to those injuries four days later, on March 1.

As we pause to reflect on the tragic statistics, we remember each officer who made the ultimate sacrifice, while upholding their duty. We are also painfully aware that throughout our nation, law enforcement agencies are being asked more of with less resources. This frustrating fact puts all of us in law enforcement at greater risk. Clearly, there has never been a time where it was more important to stay vigilant and stay safe.