A police officer’s life can change in a split second when they respond to a call.
According to a report by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), 378 police officers were shot and killed in the line of duty in 2023 alone.
A total of 46 police officers were killed last year, a 60% increase from 2018, according to the FOP.
These are eight stories about police officers who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty last year.
Police officers comfort each other at the memorial to fallen Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer at First Baptist Church on Friday, May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Fox News Digital Image Direct)
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- Sergeant Michael Moran, Colorado
- Police Officer Aaron Smith, Indiana
- Master Trooper James Bailey, Indiana
- Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso, Illinois
- lieutenant Milton Rezendes, Texas
- Sergeant Michael Abate and Officer Alberto Felix, Nevada
- Sergeant Corey Maynard, West Virginia
- Officer Garrett Crumby, Alabama
1. Sergeant Michael Moran, Colorado
In November 2023, Sgt. Michael Moran of the Cortez, Colorado Police Department was shot and killed during a traffic stop, according to the Montezuma Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect fled, but police pursued him and a gunfight ensued. Fox News Digital reported at the time that one suspect was killed in the shooting and another was taken into custody.
After Moran was shot, he was taken to Southwest Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Cortez Police Sergeant Michael Moran, 46, was killed in the line of duty when a suspect fired at him during a traffic stop. (Cortez Police Department)
Before joining the Cortez Police Department in 2012, Moran served in the Marine Corps for nine years.
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“Officer Moran quickly rose through the ranks as a rookie officer and became a K-9 handler in 2016,” the Cortez Police Department said in a statement. “What he was most proud of was his dog companion, Otto, who worked by his side until he retired in 2020.”
2. Police Officer Aaron Smith, Indiana
In June 2023, Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith was struck and killed by a suspect driving a stolen vehicle. He was 33 years old.
Indiana State Police said in a statement that Smith was pursuing a stolen vehicle on the Ronald Reagan Parkway around 8:45 p.m. when he got out of his patrol vehicle to activate the restraint bar and was struck.
He was taken to Eskenazi Hospital, where he died. He worked at the police department for five years until his death.
Superintendent Doug Carter said of Smith in June 2023, “This young officer was one of our finest. He was a shining star in the state police force.” I don’t know what else to say, but he was one of the outstanding people. ”
On June 28, 2023, police officer Aaron Smith was struck and killed after attempting to stop a stolen vehicle with a stop bar. (Indiana State Police)
“Today is a very sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family. As always, we stand together in support of Officer Smith’s family, friends, and colleagues,” Carter said in a written statement. It said in a statement, adding that Smith survived with serious injuries. “A young wife and a beautiful family.”
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3. Master Trooper James Bailey, Indiana
A similar situation occurred in Indiana in March 2023, just months before Smith’s death.
Master Trooper James Bailey was also hit by the suspect’s vehicle and died from his injuries.
Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Brian Walker said Bailey was assisting another trooper in a weather-related accident on Interstate 69 when he was struck by the suspect’s vehicle. It is said that A pursuer was heading towards him.
Walker lowered his stop stick to try to de-escalate the situation, but was struck by the suspect’s vehicle. The driver, Terry Sands II, was taken into custody.
“This is a very sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family. As always, we stand together in support of Officer Bailey’s family, friends, and colleagues,” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter.
4. Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso, Illinois
According to FOX 32, Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso was killed while pursuing an armed teenage suspect who turned and fired at “point-blank range” in Gage Park. The incident began with two police cars responding. Domestic phone calls.
Chicago Police Department Officer Andres Vazquez Lasso was killed on March 1, 2023. (Chicago Police Department)
The caller said the suspect was chasing a woman with a gun, Superintendent David O. Brown told reporters at the time.
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When officers arrived, one knocked on the door and the other engaged the suspect, who had a weapon. The suspect is said to be an 18-year-old with a history of criminal activity.
The suspect was shot in the head and taken to a hospital, Fox News Digital reported. Vazquez-Lasso was shot multiple times and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
FOX 32 reports, “Vazquez-Lasso has been with the company for five years and Brown said he has a very bright future ahead of him. Brown also noted that he comes from a family of public servants. I did,” he said.
5. Captain Milton Rezendes, Texas
In October 2023, Lt. Milton Rezendes was shot and killed while chasing two people as they left a traffic stop, swapped cars, and drove through several cities along the southern border, Fox News Digital reported. The suspects were arrested several hours later.
Chief Mario Pera of the San Benito Police Department in Texas told reporters that Rezendes was struck in the abdomen by a bullet that went through the door of his police car and hit him under his bulletproof vest.
In this undated photo provided by the San Benito Police Department, Milton of San Benito is shot and killed after joining an hour-long pursuit of two men fleeing a traffic stop on October 18, 2023 in San Benito, Texas. -Lieutenant Rezendes is in the photo. (From San Benito Police Department, Associated Press)
He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz said at the time that Rogelio Martinez Jr., 18, of Brownsville, and Rodrigo Axel Espinoza Valdez, 23, of Mexico, were charged with multiple charges including capital murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and murder. He said that he was being asked. evading arrest.
6. Sergeant Michael Abate and Officer Alberto Felix, Nevada
Sergeant Michael Abate and Officer Alberto Felix were killed by a drunk driver on a Las Vegas freeway in December 2023.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the two were stopped to check on the driver, who appeared to be falling asleep in his car.
Shortly after officers stopped him, he was hit by a car. The driver quickly fled.
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One of the men died at the scene and the other at UMC Trauma Hospital, Fox News Digital reported.
The car was found approximately five hours later and 46-year-old Jemarcus Williams was arrested on two counts each of reckless driving causing death, DUI causing death and failure to stop at the scene of a traffic accident. He passed away, according to Fox News Digital.
7. Sergeant Corey Maynard, West Virginia
West Virginia State Police Sergeant Cory Maynard was killed in June 2023 after responding to a shooting complaint.
When Maynard and two other officers arrived, Timothy Kennedy began firing, police said. Maynard was shot and taken to the hospital, where he died.
Kennedy, who fled after the incident, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
This undated photo provided by the West Virginia State Police shows State Police Sgt. Cory Maynard. Maynard was shot and killed on June 2, 2023. (Courtesy of West Virginia State Police, Associated Press)
“The brave men and women of law enforcement and all of the first responders who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe are an inspiration to all of us,” Republican Gov. Jim Justice said at the time of the incident. said. “I once again ask all West Virginians to join Kathy and I in hugging Officer Maynard’s family, loved ones, and all of our brave West Virginians in uniform during this incredibly difficult time. To do.”
8. Officer Garrett Crumby, Alabama
In March 2023, an Alabama police officer was killed and another was injured while responding to a domestic violence call.
According to the Huntsville Police Department, officers arrived at the scene around 4:45 p.m. and quickly found a woman who had been shot to death.
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State Attorney General Steve Marshall said officers Garrett Crumby and Albert Morin were rescuing a woman and two young children when an armed man ambushed them and barricaded themselves in their apartment.
Both officers were taken to Huntsville Hospital, where Mr. Crumbley died. Marshall said Crumbley is a three-year veteran of the department. He also worked for the Tuscaloosa Police Department for eight years.
“This week our nation was once again reminded of the sheer heroism of those who make up the Thin Blue Line, which is sometimes the line between life and death for the people we are sworn to protect,” Marshall said. he said at the time. “These two law enforcement officers responded to a domestic violence call tonight, knowing full well that they were risking their lives to protect their colleagues. We will never honor their service. Don’t take sacrifice for granted.”
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of murdering a law enforcement officer.
