News 14 Carolina's Kate Gaier has more on the high rate of officer deaths in North Carolina.
NORTH CAROLINA -- The number of officer fatalities is up in 2007, and North Carolina ranks sixth among the deadliest states nationwide for law enforcement deaths.
In 2007, 186 officers were laid to rest across the nation. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund said, with the exception of 2001, this has been one of the deadliest years for officers.
In 2007, 186 officers were laid to rest across the nation.
Of the 186, 81 died in traffic incidents, and 69 because of gunfire. Eight of the officers died in North Carolina, and six in South Carolina. The fatalities rank the two states as sixth and seventh deadliest for police in 2007.
Officer Sean Clark, 34, and Officer Jeff Shelton, 35, were shot after responding to a domestic call the night of March 31. In Winston-Salem, Sgt. Howard Plouff, 41, was shot while trying to break up a fight at a local night club. He died on Feb. 23.
Hope Mills, Old Fort, Durham, Greenville and Rocky Mount also lost officers this year. Other than 2001, when 72 officers died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, 2007 is the deadliest year for officers since 1989.