Over 100 police officers have died from COVID-19, FOP says

More than 100 police officers in the U.S. have died from COVID-19 after fighting the virus on the front lines, according to a report from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) obtained by The Hill via email Thursday.

The FOP said in total, 111 police officers have died from the disease since the onset of the pandemic, but noted that the tally was reported deaths, not confirmed deaths.

The group described the coronavirus pandemic as both a public health and public safety crisis.

“The FOP knew at the beginning of the pandemic that law enforcement officers on the front lines combating this pandemic — more than 90% of whom will be responding from local and State agencies — would be increasingly vulnerable to contracting the virus. COVID-19 makes no distinction between age, race or gender,” the organization said in a statement.

“As we had feared, the virus has claimed the lives of many, and now includes a growing number of law enforcement officers,” it added.

New York, the state hit hardest by the pandemic, had the most police officer deaths with 31. New Jersey and Texas both followed with 12, and Louisiana had 11, according to the report data.

Though police departments across the country have lost officers, the FOP remained resolute, vowing to continue to fight the pandemic.  

“The FOP is committed to supporting our brothers and sisters in blue by keeping them informed and updated on the latest news on this evolving situation. We will fight this pandemic together — and win. We are FOP strong,” the organization said, according to the email. 

The group has more than 351,000 members across the country.