line of duty
noun phrase
: all that is authorized, required, or normally associated with some field of responsibility
Examples of line of duty in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trainor, killed at the age of 30 when a wrong-way driver crashed into his cruiser on Route 1 northbound early Wednesday morning in Lynnfield, joins hundreds of other officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty across Massachusetts.
—
Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
This year’s Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial ceremony honored not only Craven — the only local law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty over the last year — but all other officers from various agencies who have died since San Diego County was founded in 1850.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
On Tuesday, Troop A in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, took time to remember some of their members who gave their lives in the line of duty.
—Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 5 May 2026
Last June, Officer Krystal Rivera was killed in the line of duty by friendly fire during a chase of a suspect with a warrant.
—Silvana Tabares, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The Fort Worth civilian police employee who last week was injured in the line of duty was released from the hospital Friday afternoon, officials said on social media.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2026
Many of those heroes who died in the line of duty were members of law enforcement in Florida.
—Kenneth D. Robinson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Ma supports the death penalty for those who kill police officers in the line of duty or commit heinous crimes against women and children.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
At the time, Diller was the first NYPD officer to be killed in the line of duty in two years.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
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Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
This year’s Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial ceremony honored not only Craven — the only local law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty over the last year — but all other officers from various agencies who have died since San Diego County was founded in 1850.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
On Tuesday, Troop A in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, took time to remember some of their members who gave their lives in the line of duty.
—Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 5 May 2026
Last June, Officer Krystal Rivera was killed in the line of duty by friendly fire during a chase of a suspect with a warrant.
—Silvana Tabares, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The Fort Worth civilian police employee who last week was injured in the line of duty was released from the hospital Friday afternoon, officials said on social media.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 May 2026
Many of those heroes who died in the line of duty were members of law enforcement in Florida.
—Kenneth D. Robinson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Ma supports the death penalty for those who kill police officers in the line of duty or commit heinous crimes against women and children.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
At the time, Diller was the first NYPD officer to be killed in the line of duty in two years.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Line of duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line%20of%20duty. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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