Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice – August 23rd, 2024
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. LODs are currently pacing at the same rate as a year ago.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 90 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 2 in Florida
- Through July 223 law enforcement officers had been shot in the line of duty
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
- In Kentucky, Officer Scott Miller died as a result of injuries sustained during a training exercise.
- In Georgia, Deputy Brandon Cunningham (pictured) was murdered while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Upon arriving on the scene officers were fired on as they exited their vehicles. Brandon was struck and killed. The suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Brandon is survived by two children.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 39, the average tour-of-duty – 11 years. In addition to losing 88 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 54 widows and 116 children who’ve lost a parent.