Washington, DC - Enough is enough! While details are still forthcoming, we are learning today of several separate incidents of violence against law enforcement officers across the country. Just today, it is being reported that 13 officers were wounded by gunfire in Arizona, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico.

Last year was one of the most dangerous years for law enforcement, with more officers shot in the line of duty since the FOP began recording this data. There was also a 115% increase in the number of ambush-style attacks. Our officers are not just in harm's way due to the dangerous nature of their profession but are too often targets of cowardly individuals whose sole motivation is to injure or kill a law enforcement officer. Today's grim news is a stark reminder of the violence our officers encounter in every community.

Law enforcement officers are being shot while serving the communities they love. This violence is completely unacceptable, and it must end. It is incumbent upon our elected officials and community leaders to stand up and speak out against the violence against law enforcement officers.

When a member of the public calls for help, law enforcement officers answer that call. Now is the time for our elected officials at every level of government to answer our call and support law enforcement and address the violent crime terrorizing our communities and the surging increase of violence against police officers.

Public safety is and must be our top priority. As crime rates continue to surge across this nation, the violence directed at law enforcement officers is also skyrocketing, with 55 officers shot so far this year. This must be addressed now, or we will all continue to suffer the consequences of rampant violence.