Law-enforcement deaths decline in 2009

[Bob Hubbard]

WASHINGTON - Law-enforcement deaths this year dropped to their lowest level since 1959, while the decade of the 2000s was among the safest for officers - despite the deadliest single day for police on Sept. 11, 2001.
The drop in deaths, cited in a police group's report Monday, was tempered by an increase in firearm deaths. In one horrific November shooting, four officers were executed as they discussed their upcoming shift in a Lakewood, Wash., coffee shop.
The figures do not include the death Monday of a Washington state sheriff's deputy who was shot Dec. 21 and taken off life support.

A correction to the article, 2009 saw 125 LEO deaths, not 124.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/12/29/20091229police-fatal1229.html