Abstract
BACKGROUND: Law enforcement officers (LEOs) face unique occupational hazards that can influence both timing and causes of death. Our objective was to deliver the most comprehensive, population-based portrait of mortality among LEOS in the U.S.-capturing when, why, and among whom deaths occur. By integrating multiple national data sources, we provide a detailed account of mortality patterns that can inform prevention efforts and guide policy. METHODS: Using the National Occupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS) data for 2020-2023, we estimated all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates by sex for individuals whose usual occupation was law enforcement. FINDINGS: The study population comprised ∼2.5 million working-age decedents (ages 16-64), including 15,384 LEOs. LEO decedents had an average age of 53.7 (SD = 9.4), they were predominantly of men (85.3% [n = 13,127]), and had a racial/ethnic composition that closely mirrored that of the working-age population. LEOs exhibited higher all-cause mortality risk than the working-age population, with age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) of 421.8 (95% CI = [414.3, 429.4]) and 400.7 (95% CI = [383.9, 417.4]) per 100,000 for male and female LEOs, respectively. Among male LEOs, the leading causes of death were circulatory conditions (ASMR = 100.7, 95% CI = [97.2, 104.2]), cancer (ASMR = 82.5, 95% CI = [79.3, 85.7]), suicide (ASMR = 36.4, 95% CI = [34, 38.9]), and COVID-19 (ASMR = 49.7, 95% CI = [47.2, 52.1]) (all per 100,000). Among female LEOs, cancer was the leading cause of death (ASMR = 135.2, 95% CI = [125.6, 144.8] per 100,000). INTERPRETATION: As first responders, LEOs face a unique constellation of occupational hazards that contribute to increased mortality risk. Our findings underscore the need for targeted intervention and prevention efforts to reduce the burden of cardiovascular, cancer-related, and suicide mortality among LEOs. FUNDING: The authors received no funding support for the current work.