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A DEA agent died this week in a shooting.
This week has been particularly perilous for federal law enforcement.
DEA Special Agent Michael Garbo, a 16-year veteran of the agency, was shot and killed during an operation in Tucson, Arizona on Monday.
What started as a routine investigation with DEA agents following up on reports of illegal drugs being carried on an Amtrak train from California turned fatal when officers approached a trafficker suspected drug.
The Tucson incident was one of three shootings last week that left at least 4 dead or injured. As of October 5, 55 law enforcement officers have been killed or injured so far this year, approaching the five-year record set in 2018.
Another officer was also shot but was not killed during the operation.
On Tuesday, an ATF officer was seriously shot and wounded in Nashville after a suspect opened fire on a team of officers seeking to arrest him as he sat in his car parked outside a restaurant.
The dramatic scene was captured on security camera video. According to court records, the suspect, who died in the incident, was the subject of a drug investigation.
Earlier this week, an FBI agent was seriously shot and wounded while serving an arrest warrant with the US Marshals in Racine, Wisconsin, police said. They did not specify what the officer was doing, other than classifying him as “law enforcement activity”.
FBI Agents Association president Brian O’Hare said the association stood with the law enforcement officers who were shot.
“The Association of FBI Agents stands with these courageous agents, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families,” O’Hare said in a statement to ABC News. “The FBIAA hopes that all Americans will join us in condemning these heinous acts of violence. “
And last Friday in Louisiana, a U.S. deputy marshal died after being in a car accident while on duty.
Law enforcement officials say the incidents show just how dangerous the profession can be.
“These tragedies are another painful reminder of what everyone in this hearing knows firsthand: violent crime – particularly gun violence – has reached epidemic levels,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco told the Major. City Chiefs Association at its annual conference Wednesday.
ATF Acting Deputy Director Tom Chittum told ABC News in an interview that it has been a tough week for federal law enforcement.
“It has been an incredibly difficult week for federal law enforcement,” he said. “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and officers who have been subjected to this gun violence.”
He said law enforcement is a dangerous profession, investigating the most serious violent offenders, but in recent times it has been more dangerous.
“I think they represent in many cases a ruthless disregard for life, no respect for their law,” Chittum said. “We have seen an increase in assaults on law enforcement officers that goes hand in hand with the increase in violent crime that we have seen across the country. It’s a dangerous time there and we’re seeing more and more shots fired, often in ambush style attacks. “
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