Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice
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. This week’s update includes complete information for 2023.
- There were 229 line-of-duty deaths in 2022 including 10 in Florida
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
Significant progress was made in reducing LODs last year, breaking a multi-decade trend. In fact, the 123 LODs suffered last year was the lowest total in this century and is encouraging news as we enter the new year. Decreases in line-of-duty deaths occurred across the board during the year including a 25% decrease in murders of law enforcement professionals. Let’s pray for these improved trends to continue into the new year. Let’s also pray for those we’ve lost since the previous update:
- In Nevada, Sergeant Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix were struck and killed by a driver while assisting another motorist. The driver fled the scene but was apprehended the same day. Michael is survived by a wife and two children.
- In Tennessee, Sergeant James Russ died of a heart attack while having worked 48 hours within three days in support of the Blue Cross Bowl game. A Navy veteran, he’s survived by his wife.
- In Massachusetts, Officer Paul Tracey was struck and killed by a vehicle while he was directing traffic at a construction site. The driver attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended during a foot chase with responding officers. He’s survived by his wife and two children.
- In North Carolina, Sergeant Russell Jones suffered a heart attack while detaining a violent inmate.
- In North Dakota, Deputy Paul Martin was murdered while attempting to deploy spike strips to end a police chase in pursuit of a suspect in a stolen vehicle. The suspect was captured at the scene. Paul is survived by a wife and three children.
- In Tennessee, Police Chief Christopher Cummings died of a heart attack while assisting with a flooded road. An Army veteran, he’s survived by two children.
- In Texas, Sergeant Stephen Gibson was killed in a crash while on patrol. He’s survived by a wife and two children.
- In New York, Officer Daniel DiDato was killed in crash while responding to an investigation.
- In Ohio, Deputy Joshua Hamilton was killed in a crash while on patrol. A Navy Reserve and Army National Guard veteran, he’s survived by his daughter.
- In California, Officer Tuan Le (pictured) was murdered while responding to a robbery in progress. Officer Le and another officer were ambushed when approaching the business they were responding to. The suspects fled and are at large.
- In Georgia, Sergeant Marc McIntyre was murdered while responding to a domestic disturbance. Marc and another responding officer were ambushed when approaching the home where the call was reported. The suspect was captured by other responding officers. Marc was an Army veteran.
- In North Carolina, Sergeant Philip Nix was murdered while attempting to detain a suspect in a crime at a gas station. The three suspects were captured the following day. He’s survived by his wife and two children.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 42, the average tour-of-duty – 13 years. In addition to losing 123 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty last year, there were 59 widows and 152 children who’ve lost a parent.