Photo: Lake City Police Department
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. Here are the harsh realities regarding the rise risk in society for law enforcement.
- 307 LOD’s in 2020, including 16 in Florida
- 316 in 2021 including 28 in Florida
Last year was the deadliest for law enforcement on record, emphasis on was. Entering October, we’ve already exceeded last year’s historically high line-of-duty death totals. We’re in an especially dangerous moment in our country’s history due to the pandemic and efforts of political operatives to politicize law enforcement. We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
In Texas, Officer Honorato Antones died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and three children. In Arkansas, Sergeant Matthew Moore died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and two children. In Texas, Officer Robert Joiner died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. An Army veteran, Robert is survived by his wife. In Texas, Officer Huey Prymus, III died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife and child. In Texas, Officer Glenn Skeens died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by three children. In Michigan, Deputy Darrell Henderson died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and son. In Rhode Island, Sergeant Gino Caputo died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife. In Ohio, Deputy Robert Mills died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife and two children. In South Carolina, Officer Stephen Jones died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. A Marine veteran, Stephen is survived by a wife and five children. In Texas, Officer Echo Rodriguez died from COVID-19 contracted on duty. She’s survived by her child. In North Carolina, Officer Carl Proper died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and three children. In South Carolina, Lieutenant John Stewart (pictured) was killed in a crash while involved in a chase a carjacking suspect. A Marine veteran, he’s survived by two children. In Texas, Sergeant Richard Frankie died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. FHP Trooper Brian Pingry has died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and two children. In Georgia, Lieutenant Brandi Stock died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. An Army veteran, she’s survived by her husband. In Wisconsin, Officer Joseph Kurer died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. An Army veteran, he’s survived by a wife and two children. In Maine, Sheriff Luke Gross was struck and killed by a vehicle while assisting with an accident. He’s survived by a wife and two children. In Texas, Corporal Arnulfo Pargas died of COVID-19 he’s survived by a wife and five children. In Virginia, Corporal Charles Catron died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his daughter. In Texas, Deputy Phillip Barron, Jr. died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife and three children. In Tennessee, Deputy Matthew Locke was murdered while responding to a domestic disturbance. An Army National Guard veteran, he’s survived by his wife and child. In Nasau County, Deputy Joshua Moyers was murdered while conducting a traffic stop. In Tennessee, Officer Gregory Triplett died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife and five children. In Washington, Trooper Eric Gunderson died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and two children. In Oklahoma, Officer Howard Smith, III, died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife and daughter. In Tennessee, Sergeant Joshua Stewart, died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife and two children.
- The average age of the fallen, 48. The average tour of duty, 17 years.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. In addition to losing 316 law enforcement professionals in the line of duty this year, there are 165 widows and 442 children who’ve lost a parent. Line of duty deaths are 17% higher than last year’s historically high levels.
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.