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 to serve their communities and to serve as a reminder of what our police risk to keep us safe.
- 132 line of duty deaths in 2019
- Murder was the top cause of death for the second consecutive year
- 9 LOD’s in 2020, including 1 in Florida
Over the past week we suffered three line of duty deaths. In Hawaii, Officer Tiffany Enriquez was murdered while responding to the scene of a reported stabbing. She was treating an elderly woman who’d be stabbed when she was fired upon. An Air-Force veteran, Tiffany is survived by three children. At the same emergency scene, the second responding Officer, Kaulike Kalama, was also fired upon and killed.In Georgia,Deputy Sheldon Whiteman was killed in a crash while chasing a suspect running from police.He’s survived by a wife and two children.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. In addition to losing nine law enforcement professionals in the line of duty this year, there are two widows and ten children who’ve lost a parent.
- The average age of the fallen, 37. The average tour of duty, 8 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.