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
- 221 in 2021 including 18 in Florida
Last year was the deadliest for law enforcement on record. 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, Sheriff Shaun Waters died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. In Georgia, Lt. Dale Sylvester, Jr. Died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. A Navy veteran, he’s survived by a wife and two children. In Missouri, Sergeant John Bullard, Jr. died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He's survived by a wife and two children. In Arkansas, VA Special Agent Gregory Holland died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. An Army veteran, he’s survived by three children. In Alabama, Officer Juan Manuel Gomez-Lopez died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. An Amry veteran, he’s survived by a wife and two children. In Lee County, Sergeant Steven Mazzotta died from COVID-19 contracted on duty. In Texas, Border Patrol Agent Ricardo Zarate died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. In Miami Beach, Officer Edward Perez died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife and daughter. In North Carolina, Deputy Eric Ritter died of COVID-19 contracted on duty, he’s survived by a wife and daughter. In Oklahoma, Sergeant John Harris (pictured) died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and four children. In Texas, Sergeant Kuo-sheng Wang died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and three children. In Palm Bay, Sergeant Frank Tobar died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife. In Missouri, Deputy Kevin Kokinis died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and three children. In New York, Trooper James Monda drowned during a training exercise with marine patrol. In Texas, Detective Manuel Widner died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and son. In Polk County, Deputy Christopher Broadhead died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and five children.
- The average age of the fallen, 47. The average tour of duty, 17 years.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. In addition to losing 221 law enforcement professionals in the line of duty this year, there are 106 widows and 276 children who’ve lost a parent. Line of duty deaths are 6% lower than last year’s historically high levels, however according to the National Fraternal Order of Police, ambush attacks on police officers have risen by greater than 90% this year.
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.