MOORHEAD (KFGO-AM) -- Moorhead Police Lt. Tory Jacobson says the death of Mendota Heights, Minnesota Police Officer Scott Patrick affects all law officers, because they all know, it can happen anywhere and at anytime.
Patrick is the 27th law officer in the United States shot and killed while on duty this year. According to the "Officer Down Memorial" page, that marks a 50-percent increase over last year, and so far this year, it's been the leading cause of officer deaths. Jacobson says normally traffic crashes kill more officers.
Overall across the nation, 64 officers have died in the line of duty this year. In addition to 27 gunfire deaths, 15 officers have died in crashes.