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. After years of increases in LODs, including multiple record years, thankfully 2023 produced the fewest line-of-duty deaths in the 2000’s. Let’s pray for the improvement to continue this year.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 4 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024
We’ve lost this hero since the previous update.
- In Michigan, Trooper Joel Popp (pictured) was struck and killed by a vehicle while processing a driver who was driving under the influence. Joel is survived by his wife and daughter.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 44, the average tour-of-duty – 12 years. In addition to losing 4 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 3 widows and 6 children who’ve lost a parent.