TEXAS – Data from 2023 reports shows more law enforcement officers have been shot in the line of duty in Texas than in any other state.
According to numbers released by the National Fraternal Order of Police, 35 law enforcement officers have been shot while on the job in Texas, and four of them have died from their injuries in 2023.
FOP numbers show more officers have been shot in 2023 than in any of the past five years.
Nationwide, 350 law enforcement officers have been shot in 2023. FOP data shows the number of officers shot in the line of duty is up 23 percent compared to 2020.
“The last thing on our mind is that somebody would want to hurt us because of the uniform that we wear. It’s something that we’re concerned with,” said Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan.
Officers being targeted while on the job is a growing concern for law enforcement agencies across the country. Another worry is the rise in the number of ambush attacks on law enforcement officers, according to the FOP.
- READ FOP REPORT HERE: Officers Shot/Killed; FOP monthly update - 12/1/2023
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office employs 800 deputies, according to Fagan. It’s one of Texas’ largest and most populated counties.
“I told my officers we need to look out for certain things to be aware of our surroundings,” explained Fagan.
According to the FOP, there have been more than 108 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers this year. This is when an officer is struck by gunfire without any warning or opportunity to defend themselves.
“In the Houston area, we don’t have that problem. But it’s not to say it can’t happen. But if something like that were to happen all the DAs in this area, [we would] come down full force. All those individuals. Full force of the law. And we protect one another, we are a family and law enforcement,” Fagan said.
While solutions for such crimes can become political, Fagan points to the states that have not logged incidents where law enforcement officers have been shot or targeted
“There are ten states that have zero shootings,” he said. “We have to look and see what they’re doing in those states, that’s different from what we’re doing here in this state.”
When asked if Fagan thinks gun laws play a role in these stats, here’s what he said, “Look, I’m a big proponent of gun rights. I believe everyone should have the right to carry. I have no problem with that. But my only problem is this: We train our children to drive a car. Could we say that’s dangerous? Why can’t we do the same with guns? Make sure that they are trained to have the gun. I’m not saying you can’t have it. I’m just saying get proper training for it.”
Texas is one of 37 states in the country that utilizes Blue Alerts which is used to notify the public of at-large violent criminals who have killed or seriously injured an on-duty law enforcement officer.