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SALT LAKE CITY -- With the recent shooting in Ogden, killing one officer and injuring five others, many are aware of how dangerous of a job it is for law enforcement officers. But a new study recently released shows the job is becoming increasingly more dangerous.
A report put out by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund shows the number of officers who were shot and killed in the line of duty has risen by 15 percent since 2010. In 2011, more officers died from a gun than from a car accident, which is the first time that has happened in 14 years.
"We have a dangerous job," said Chief Chris Burbank of the Salt Lake City Police Department. "That doesn't drive how we do business because if it was so dangerous, then we all would just stay home."
Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmonds said there seems to be a growing lack of disrespect in society for law enforcement officers. He said he's notice that change in his 18-year career. Only now, the numbers are starting to back up his belief.
Last year there were 68 firearm deaths involving officers, with 10 of them from serving a warrant or being involved in some type of raid. But Burbank says the police departments still have a job to do, and warrants are a big part of the job.
I think that it's important, as law enforcement, that we're always looking to find out what's creating the problem, rather than waiting for answers.
–Wade Carpenter
"We have a responsibility, and we need to do it safely as we possibly can," Burbank said. "And I don't think instances of where officers are hurt of injured sends the message that says, ‘No, we shouldn't do that.' "
Burbank said, now more than ever, it is important for officers to keep up on training. However, he admits that even with the best training, sometimes an officer can't prevent someone from harming them.
"We live in a society where officers are oftentimes targeted, and not spur of the moment kinds of things," Burbank said. "In some circumstances, we're seeing instances where officers are being ambushed -- that people plan out -- and that's what they're trying to accomplish."
Park City Police Chief Wade Carpenter, who is also involved with the International Association of Police Chiefs, said it is a disturbing trend that they're trying to figure out. Nationally, Carpenter believes the trend is connected to a reduction of officers on the street and a reduction of specialized training.
"I think that it's important that when, as law enforcement, that we're always looking to find out what's creating the problem, rather than waiting for answers," Carpenter said.
Edmonds said the penalties for those who harm law enforcement officers need to be tougher than what they are now. But even then, several agencies aren't sure if that would reduce the number. Already in 2012, four officer have been killed by gunfire nationally, including officer Jared Francom from Ogden.
