INDIANA – Law enforcement line-of-duty deaths rose sharply in 2024, with 147 officers losing their lives compared to 118 in 2023, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Two officers lost their lives in Indiana.
Corporal Brandon Schreiber of the Newton County Sheriff’s Department succumbed to gunshot wounds he received after a vehicle pursuit on September 1, 2024. Corporal Schreiber joined a pursuit initiated by the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office (Illinois) when the driver, who was armed, fled into Indiana. The pursuit returned to Illinois, where the suspect crashed his vehicle in Sheldon. He fired at responding officers while still inside his car, and gunfire was exchanged. Corporal Schreiber was struck and transported to Iroquois Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The suspect died at the scene. Corporal Schreiber was later transferred to the Carle Trauma Center, where he remained on life support until his organs could be donated. Corporal Schreiber had served with the Newton County Sheriff’s Department for five years. His wife and two young children survive him.
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar, 28, of the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office was electrocuted when he came in contact with live wires while investigating a crash scene at State Road 267 and County Road 300 South near Plainfield at 11:57 p.m. on April 15, 2024. While on the scene, witnesses noticed Deputy Fislar on the ground near the power lines and used his radio for help. Deputy Fislar was transported to Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition and did not survive. Deputy Fislar was a United States Marine Corps veteran who served with the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office for over 2 1/2 years. His wife and two young children survive him.
Gunfire emerged as the primary cause of death, while traffic-related incidents showed the steepest year-over-year increase. The data encompasses federal, state, county, municipal, military, tribal, and campus officers.
The 25% spike in casualties highlights escalating risks faced by police officers across the United States. These preliminary statistics underscore the growing dangers in modern law enforcement, from deadly shootouts to hazardous roadside incidents.
Total Line of Duty Deaths: 144
- 9/11 related illness – 14
- Aircraft accident – 2
- Assault – 4
- Automobile crash – 20
- Boating accident – 1
- Drowned – 2
- Duty related illness – 4
- Electrocuted – 1
- Fire – 1
- Gunfire – 49
- Gunfire (Inadvertent) – 3
- Heart attack – 12
- Heatstroke – 1
- Motorcycle crash – 3
- Stabbed – 2
- Struck by vehicle – 12
- Vehicle pursuit – 1
- Vehicular assault – 11
- Weather/Natural disaster -1
Total Deaths by Month
- January – 8
- February – 17
- March – 11
- April – 25
- May – 11
- June – 11
- July – 9
- August – 13
- September – 14
- October – 8
- November – 9
- December – 8
The findings reinforce ongoing concerns about officer safety and the increasingly perilous nature of police work in America.
