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
- 182 LOD’s in 2020, including 11 in Florida
It’s as sad as it is instructive that we’ve already lost more law enforcement professionals in the line of duty this year, than in total, last year. We created this series several years ago to create awareness about the risk and regular sacrifices made by law enforcement. I felt this was necessary because anti-police rhetoric and activism which led to an increase in violence against law enforcement. That’s culminated with murder having become the most common form of death and biggest risk our police face day in and day out. We’re in an especially dangerous moment due to the defund police movement advanced by political opportunists. Opportunists who also are working to undermine confidence in law enforcement and strip them of the resources and protections needed to keep us safe. Most of our police do heroic things daily which go unnoticed. Their sacrifice is rarely covered by news media, but the risk is real day in and day out. Perhaps more now than ever.
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update. In California, Sergeant Gilbert Polanco died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. A Navy veteran, he’s survived by a wife and two children. In Broward, Lieutenant Aldemar Rengifo died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and son. In Texas, Officer Lucas Saucedo died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. In Wisconsin, Deputy Richard Treadwell died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and three children. In Texas, Sergeant Raul Salazar died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife. In Puerto Rico, Sergeant Ricardo Perez-Ortiz was murdered while responding to a call of curfew violators. In Texas, Officer James Weston died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by two children. In Arizona, Officer Bryan Brown was murdered while attempting to detain a man who’d been driving erratically. An Army veteran, He’s survived by a wife and seven children. In Missouri, Officer Tamarris Bohannon was murdered in an ambush after responding to an emergency call. He’s survived by a wife and three children.
- The average age of the fallen, 47. The average tour of duty, 16 years.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. In addition to losing 182 law enforcement professionals in the line of duty this year, there are 102 widows and 245 children who’ve lost a parent.
Line of duty deaths are 77% higher year to date reflecting the increased risk to law enforcement in our society today. 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.