COVID-19 was the leading cause of death among police officers in 2021, report says

Last year was the deadliest year on record for police in the U.S., according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. The leading cause of death was COVID-19, the group's newly released Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report said. 

The report found 301 officers died from COVID-19 in 2021, a 65% increase from the year before. Seven states — California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas — had more than seven officer deaths due to COVID-19. 

Georgia's Muscogee County Sheriff Gregory Countryman told CBS News that the virus continues to spread through his department and that he currently has 18 active cases. Barely more than 40% of the county's residents have been vaccinated.