in the line of duty

idiom

: while doing one's job
a soldier/policeman/fireman who was killed in the line of duty

Examples of in the line of duty in a Sentence

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The last time annual officer fatalities were at a comparable level was in 1943, when 94 officers were killed in the line of duty. Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 7 Jan. 2026 Annual officer fatalities have not reached levels this low since 1943, when 94 officers were killed in the line of duty. Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026 This law ensures that sacrifice is recognized, that families are supported, and that firefighters who gave everything in the line of duty are never forgotten. Victor Stagnaro, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026 The Brackenridge community came together on Friday to mark three years since late police chief Justin McIntire was shot and killed in the line of duty. Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in the line of duty

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Cite this Entry

“In the line of duty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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