North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

What is the third most common cause of line of duty deaths in officers?

1. Accidents

2. Chronic heart disease

3. Gunfire

4. Suicide

The correct answer is: Chronic heart disease

Chronic heart disease is indeed a significant concern when it comes to law enforcement officer line of duty deaths. This condition not only accounts for a large number of fatalities among officers but also highlights the physical and mental stresses associated with police work. Factors contributing to chronic heart disease in law enforcement may include high stress levels, irregular hours, lack of physical fitness due to job demands, and sometimes poor lifestyle choices. In comparison, while gunfire and accidents also lead to line of duty deaths, they rank higher than chronic heart disease. Suicide is an increasingly recognized issue in law enforcement but also does not typically outpace chronic heart disease in terms of overall statistics for line of duty fatalities. Understanding this context is critical for law enforcement agencies as they look to provide better support and health resources for their officers.