Only seven states counted more law enforcement officers dying in the line of duty than Missouri counted last year. In the last four years, 16 officers have died. The Department of Public Safety says at least one officer has died on duty every year for 40 years. In the 20th century, Missouri ranked eighth in the number of law enforcement officers to die on duty. The Chairman of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Missouri is one of the deadliest states in the country for law enforcement oficers.