The job of police officer is not only ranked one of the most stressful but has routinely been considered one of the most dangerous, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Whether by firearm or a traffic accident, there are 163 police deaths per year in the US on average. There are 900,000 law enforcement officers in the US, of which 12 percent are women. Police and sheriff’s patrol officers earn a median income of $51,410 as of May 2008.
At left, a police officer In Brunswick, Ga., arrests a suspect August 10, 2010, as part of a larger round up of dozens of suspects charged with drug and gun crimes.
Source: Department of Labor, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
