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. After years of increases in LODs, including multiple record years, thankfully 2023 produced the fewest line-of-duty deaths in the 2000’s. Let’s pray for the improvement to continue this year.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 15 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 1 in Florida
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
- In Tennessee, Deputy Greg McCowan was murdered while attempting a traffic stop of a reckless driver. Upon approaching the vehicle, he and his partner were fired upon with the suspect fleeing the scene. The suspect, who is a convicted felon, was apprehended five days later. Greg is survived by two children.
- In Texas, Deputy Ronald Bates was killed in a crash while enroute to a county jail. He’s survived by a wife and two children.
- In New Mexico, Officer Jonah Hernandez (pictured) was murdered while responding to a trespassing call. A witness shot and killed the suspect. The suspect had a long criminal record. Jonah is survived by a wife and two children.
- In Wyoming, Sergeant Nevada Krinkee was murdered while responding to a trespassing call. Following a 24-hour standoff with police the suspect was shot and killed. Nevada is survived by his wife and daughter.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 44, the average tour-of-duty – 12 years. In addition to losing 15 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 10 widows and 18 children who’ve lost a parent.