Photo: Haltom 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
- 398 in 2021 including 33 in Florida
Last year was the deadliest for law enforcement on record, emphasis on was. Entering October, we’d 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 Georgia, Sergeant William Gay died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by a wife and three children. In Texas, Detective Rodney Mooneyham died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. An Army veteran, he’s survived by a wife and two children. In Texas, Officer Andrew MacDonald died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. He’s survived by his wife. In Texas, Investigator Tracy Dotson died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. A Marine Corps veteran, he’s survived by a wife and three children. In Texas, Sergeant Michael Dunn died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. A Marine Corps veteran, he’s survived by his wife and four children. In Kansas, Officer Stephen Evans was killed in an accident while on patrol. He’s survived by a wife and three children. In Texas, Officer Thomas Hutchison (pictured) died of COVID-19 contracted on duty. A Marine Corps veteran, he’s survived by a wife and two children. In New Hampshire, Sergeant Jesse Sherrill was killed in an accident while assisting a road crew doing repair work on the interstate.
- 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 398 law enforcement professionals in the line of duty this year, there are 204 widows and 556 children who’ve lost a parent. Line of duty deaths are 33% 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.