( CNN ) -- Deaths of law enforcement officers in the line of duty fell sharply in 2008 , with the number killed by gunfire reaching its lowest level in more than five decades , according to a report published Monday . A tougher criminal justice system is among the reasons cited for a less deadly year for police . The statistics show 2008 has been `` one of the safest years for U.S. law enforcement in decades , '' wrote two groups : the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Concerns of Police Survivors . Based on preliminary data , the groups found that 140 law enforcement officers were killed in 2008 -- 86 of them accidentally and 54 intentionally . Just the year before , the group found 181 deaths -- 108 of them accidental and 73 intentional . `` Fewer officers were killed by gunfire in 2008 than in any year since 1956 , '' the report says . `` Preliminary data indicate 41 officers died in firearms-related incidents this year , compared with 68 in 2007 , a reduction of 40 percent . '' In a statement accompanying the report , Craig W. Floyd , chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund , said , `` 2007 was a wake-up call for law enforcement in our country , and law enforcement executives , officers , associations and trainers clearly heeded the call , with a renewed emphasis on officer safety training , equipment and procedures . '' He listed reasons for the drop in officer deaths , including better training and equipment ; increased use of less-lethal weapons ; more officers wearing bullet-resistant vests ; and an increased awareness among officers that `` every assignment is potentially life-threatening . '' Floyd also cited a downturn in violent crime in general and what he called a tougher criminal justice system . `` The reduction in firearms-related deaths is especially stunning , given the tremendous firepower possessed by so many criminals today , '' Floyd added in the statement . The report 's figures are different from those held by the FBI . For example , the FBI lists 140 law enforcement officers killed in 2007 -- 83 accidentally and 57 intentionally . The different figures are based on somewhat different criteria . For example , the FBI explains on its Web site that it includes only officers who were `` working in an official capacity '' at the time of the incident . Kevin Morrison , a spokesman for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund , said his group may include an officer who was intentionally killed , even if he was not working in an official capacity at the time . Also , Morrison said , `` Officers who die of a heart attack while engaging in a foot pursuit -- that may not make it into their report , but it 's in ours . '' The FBI has not released totals for 2008 . Its preliminary report on law enforcement officer deaths in 2008 is expected in the spring . While the report released Monday is largely about good news , it also includes some grim statistics . `` Deaths of female officers rose sharply to 15 in 2008 , equaling the record high of 2002 . For the first time , more than 1 in 10 of the officers killed in a single year were women , '' the report says . `` And while overall traffic-related fatalities declined by more than 14 percent , the number of officers struck and killed rose in 2008 -- despite the increased publicity and enforcement of 'move over ' laws and other safety initiatives . ''
It 's been `` one of the safest years for U.S. law enforcement in decades , '' groups say . Reasons cited : Better training and equipment , more officers in bullet-resistant vests . Officials also cite a downturn in violent crime in general . The report 's figures are different from those held by the FBI .