Respondents completed a mail questionnaire consisting of the Derogatis Symptom inventory, the Reaction Index, and the Affect Balance Scale. The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PSD) in respondents was found to be consistent with prevalence rates found in victims of rape or physical assault, prisoners of war, and hostages. Chi-square analysis showed no significant difference in the prevalence of PSD in spouses of officers killed accidentally or feloniously. Factorial analyses of variance also failed to distinguish between the two survivor groups. Suddenness of death showed no significant effects alone or in interaction with type of death. Results suggest that more than 50 percent of surviving spouses of law enforcement officers will meet established criteria for PSD after the spouse's accidental or felonious death. Accidental and homicidal deaths need to be considered as a cause of traumatic bereavement capable of producing intense psychological sequelae even 2 years after the death. Appendixes contain research instruments and supplemental data. 25 tables and 104 references. (Author abstract modified)