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 year’s event will honor the four law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty on that historically harrowing day — one that saw eight law enforcement officers shot during an attempt to serve felony warrants. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025 In all seriousness, though, Owen's decision to leave after a litany of shoot-outs, car chases, and tussles is in part inspired by memories of his father, who died in the line of duty when Owen was just 12. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 29 Jan. 2025 Among them, 38 died in the line of duty, 11 in training and 27 during missions, according to the division. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025 The latest: Former police officer Adam Coy, Columbus' first to be found guilty of murder in the line of duty, awaits a sentencing hearing. Alissa Widman Neese, Axios, 2 Jan. 2025 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 19 Feb. 2025.

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