2011 had been a deadly year for police across the nation, including five in Arizona.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, law enforcement deaths are up 13 percent over last year nationwide to date.

“Any notice of an officer’s death sends shockwaves throughout the law enforcement community,” said Sgt. Jimmy Chavez, president of the Arizona Highway Patrol Association. “The loss of five Arizona police officers this year is a chilling statistic.”

According to the national group, there have been 173 officer fatalities so far this year, 68 from gun fire. In years past, Arizona has gone without losing an officer in the line of duty

“Officers have a duty to protect and serve,” Chavez said. “The law enforcement professionals I have spoken with continue to take pride in their jobs despite the increased dangers.”

Officers continue to deal with the unknowns of any traffic stop, which is one of the most dangerous jobs in law enforcement.

“Officers have no idea who they are going to encounter any given moment,” Chavez said. “Suspects continue to fight back against our officers in efforts to not go to jail, or other personal reasons. This adds additional dangers to our job.”

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund was established in 1984 as a private non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers and to promoting officer safety. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., which contains the names of 19,298 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history.