LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky recently hit high mark, the most law enforcement deaths in the past 20 years.
Kentucky laid four fallen heroes to rest in 2012, the most since 1992.
But nationally, law enforcement deaths are down 22% from 2011.
Kentucky averages 1.9 deaths per year, but last year we had four.
Two of them died in our region.
Most recently, Deputy Carl Rakes of Marion County was shot and killed at a traffic stop.
In September, Officer Mark Taulbee crashed his cruiser pursuing a suspect in Hodgenville.
Eric Johnson, the executive director of Supporting Heroes, says the numbers cannot be explained but it's been a terrible year in Kentucky.
Johnson says, "We as citizens take public safety for granted and when tragedy strikes and the reality of what they do, we're reminded of that we're reminded of the dangers."
Indiana did not have any officers die in the line of duty last year.
The state averages 3.2 law enforcement deaths per year.
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