cop-killers

Those slaying officers

Cop-killers are people who murder police officers, or the bullets designed to penetrate body armor that officers wear.

The ammunition sense emerged in the 1980s amid debates over restricting such rounds: The bill would ban cop-killer bullets.

Both uses carry strong negative connotation—the term frames the subject as specifically targeting law enforcement.

crime

murder

Deliberate unlawful killing

homicideCausing another's death
assassinationMurder of a prominent figure
ambushSurprise strike from concealment

felony · manhunt · fugitive · wanted · premeditated · execution-style · targeted · retaliation · shooting · gunman

ammunition

armor-piercing

Defeats protective plating

bulletsFirearm projectiles
handgunFirearm for single-hand use
firearmProjectile weapon using explosives

pistol · revolver · magazine · ballistics · penetration · banned · restricted · lethal · deadly · fatal

controversy

legislation

Official enactment of statutes

banOfficial restriction on something
debateFormal argument on issues
advocacyPleading for a cause

NRA · lobbying · regulation · prohibition · media · reform · political · backlash · activism · sensationalism

Opposites

relationship to law enforcement

cop-killerspolice officers

Sworn law enforcers

cops · law enforcement · police

severity of criminal behavior

cop-killerspetty criminals

Low-level offenders

jaywalkers · shoplifters · nonviolent offenders · petty thieves · litterers

heroism vs. villainy in law enforcement context

cop-killersheroes

Admired courageous figures

decorated officers · fallen heroes · life-savers · first responders · martyrs

Family

cop, cops, copped, copping, copper, coppers, kill, kills, killed

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated R