FORT MYERS, Fla.- It's every law enforcement agency's worst nightmare- when one of their own is killed in the line of duty. But this year in Florida, that nightmare is becoming an all too familiar reality.

Seven law enforcement officers were killed in 2011 alone in Florida, the highest number in the nation.

"It's scary. It really is," Fort Myers Police Chief Doug Baker said Wednesday.

Baker is reacting to the death of Lakeland Officer Arnulfo Crispin. The 25-year old was shot on Sunday while patrolling a park.

"I think the word that tricks everybody up is routine. As time has evolved and violence has escalated, there's nothing routine about the job," Baker said.

Sadly, there are a number of cases in Florida to prove it. Three officers from the St. Petersburg area were shot and killed in the line of duty just this year.

Out of the fatal shootings, two of the three alleged murders are under the age of 20.

"I do believe there's a trend here. The disrespect for, the devaluation of life, the tendencies toward violence have become almost fashionable in our society," Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott said Wednesday.

Southwest Florida law enforcement agencies say we're not spared. Newly surfaced YouTube videos show violence in our own backyard.

"It seems to be a lot more of it out there. It's scary. It really is. The gun power. The rifle power. The ammunition that they have," Baker said.

Back in April, Cape Coral Officer David Wagoner was shot during a traffic stop. His bullet proof vest was the only thing protecting him from three gunshots at point-blank range.

His suspected shooter was just 20-years old.

"It's really hard to get a grip on it, get a handle on it, but it's a serious problem, I can tell you that," Scott said Wednesday.

One big obstacle law enforcement agencies face is a code of silence in many of the most dangerous areas they patrol. They say in order to improve safety on our streets for officers and civilians, the community has to work with them.