Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute To Fallen Police Officers
Bottom Line: This weekly feature is designed to recognize those who've paid the ultimate price in service and to serve as a reminder of what our police risk to keep us safe. Here are the harsh realities regarding the rise risk in society for law enforcement.
- 307 LOD’s in 2020, including 16 in Florida
- 148 in 2021 including 11 in Florida
Last year was the deadliest for law enforcement since 1932. We’re in an especially dangerous moment in our country’s history due to the effort of political operatives to politicize law enforcement. Officer involved shooting deaths are 35% below average, however line-of-duty deaths have reached record levels. The facts simply don’t meet the anti-police narrative. We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
In Texas, Deputy Dustin Speckels died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and two children. In California, Detective Ryan Park and his wife Detective Jamie Park were killed while being struck by a wrong way drunk driver while conducting an investigation. In Massachusetts, Officer Emmanuel Familia (pictured) drowned while attempting to rescue three children who were in distress while swimming. Two of the children were rescued. He’s survived by a wife and two children. In Alabama, Deputy William Smith drowned while attempting to rescue three swimmers. All three were successfully rescued.
- The average age of the fallen, 48. The average tour of duty, 18 years.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. In addition to losing 148 law enforcement professionals in the line of duty this year, there are 74 widows and 170 children who’ve lost a parent. Line of duty deaths are 4% higher than last year’s historically high levels.
Remember to back the badge and spread the word. Media often aren't there for our law enforcement, but we can be. Let our police, and their families, know we support them every chance you get. They need it, now more than ever, just as we need them more than ever.