Protecting South Florida – a tribute to those who serve and sacrifice   

Protecting South Florida – a tribute to those who serve and sacrifice                

Bottom Line: This weekly feature is designed to recognize those who've paid the ultimate price to serve their communities and to serve as a reminder of what our police risk to keep us safe.                

This is the unfortunate news you need to know:                                                          

  • 148 officers died in the line of duty in 2018 & the top cause of death was murder for the first time on record   
  • 87 officers have died while serving in 2019   
  • Six in Florida

We’ve had two line of duty deaths this week. In the wake of honoring 9/11 first responders last week, we lost another hero who served that day. In New York, Detective Joseph Paolillo died as a result of cancer attributed to his work at ground zero on 9/11. Related, Joseph’s brother John was a Battalion Fire Chief who died on 9/11 in the North Tower. He’s survived by a wife and three children. In Alabama, Investigator Dornell Cousette was murdered while serving a warrant. An Army veteran he’s survived by two daughters.

In addition to losing 87 officers this year, there are 49 widows and 108 children who’ve lost a parent. Please remember the families. 

The average age of the fallen, 43. The average tour of duty, 14 years.

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.


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