Report finds law enforcement facing ‘unusually high' threat

A new report from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shows a sharp rise in ambush killings.

Law enforcement officials said police are facing an unusually high threat.

“We need to work together. We need to work in cooperation. We need to work in a trustful fashion so that we can keep our community safe,” said Craig Floyd, of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

According to the data, 64 officers were shot and killed in the line of duty in 2016. That is a 56 percent increase in gun-related deaths since 2015.

In November, the Canonsburg Police Department had to bury one of their own. Officer Scott Bashioum was shot and killed in an ambush while responding to a domestic incident call. A second officer, James Saieva, was shot and wounded. The gunman later killed himself.

Across the nation, 21 officers were ambushed. In July, during a peaceful protest in Dallas, a military veteran ambushed a group of police officers, killing five officers and injuring nine others. The attack was the deadliest for law enforcement since Sept. 11, 2001.

Ten days after that, three Baton Rouge, Louisiana, police were targeted, shot and killed.

Officials said, in all, 135 officers died across the nation this year. That includes traffic-related deaths and other causes like falls and heart attacks.

RAW VIDEO: Procession to funeral for fallen Canonsburg Officer Scott Bashioum

RAW VIDEO: Fallen Canonsburg officer remembered by community, law enforcement

PHOTOS: Hundreds of police officers pay final respects to fallen colleague

VIDEO: Fallen Officer Scott Bashioum’s wife delivers emotional eulogy at funeral

Cox Media Group