Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice – May 17th, 2024
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 9% higher year-to-date. As we honor those who serve our community and our country during this National Police Week, we have an important reminder of the price so many have paid in service.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 58 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 these heroes since the previous update.
- In California, Deputy Alredo Flores died due to injuries sustained during a training exercise. He’s survived by his wife and two children.
- In Virginia, Master-at-Arms Lyndon Cosgriff-Flax died due to injuries sustained during a training exercise. Lyndon was a Navy veteran.
- In Ohio, Officer Jacob Derbin (pictured) was murdered while responding to a disturbance call. Upon arriving on the scene, Jacob was ambushed by a convicted felon who had been released from prison under a “community supervision” program. Responding officers found the suspect was dead due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An Army veteran, Jacob is survived by his fiancée.
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 – 11 years. In addition to losing 58 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 33 widows and 70 children who’ve lost a parent.