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 25 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 1 in Florida
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
- In Texas, Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna (pictured) was killed in a helicopter crash along the southern border in the Rio Grande Valley, along with two New York state guard troops, in assistance of a Department of Homeland Security Task Force Mission. Chris is survived by a wife and two children.
- In New York, Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello died of injuries sustained while breaking up a fight at an area casino. While responding to the emergency, one of the attackers turned on Sergeant Sanfratello. Both suspects were detained by other responding officers.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 40, the average tour-of-duty – 10 years. In addition to losing 25 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 16 widows and 33 children who’ve lost a parent.