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. Unfortunately, that progress hasn’t been sustained this year. LODs are 12% higher year-to-date.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 56 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 1 in Florida
- Through April 136 law enforcement officers had been shot in the line of duty, an increase of 1% over a year ago.
We’ve lost this hero since the previous update.
- In Utah, Sergeant Bill Hooser (pictured) was murdered when he was intentionally struck by the driver of a tractor-trailer he’d pulled over. The driver, who was involved in a human smuggling operation, fled the scene and was captured by responding officers after a short chase. Bill is survived by his wife and two daughters.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 39, the average tour-of-duty – 11 years. In addition to losing 56 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 31 widows and 68 children who’ve lost a parent.