Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice ā May 17th, 2024Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
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 2000ās. Unfortunately, that progress hasnāt 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.Ā Ā
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in FloridaĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
- Weāve lost 58 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 1 in FloridaĀ Ā Ā
- Through April 136 law enforcement officers had been shot in the line of duty, an increase of 1% over a year ago.Ā Ā Ā
Weāve lost these heroes since the previous update.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
- In California, Deputy Alredo Flores died due to injuries sustained during a training exercise. Heās survived by his wife and two children.Ā
- In Virginia, Master-at-Arms Lyndon Cosgriff-Flax died due to injuries sustained during a training exercise. Lyndon was a Navy veteran.Ā Ā
- In Ohio, Officer Jacob Derbin (pictured) was murdered while responding to a disturbance call. Upon arriving on the scene, Jacob was ambushed byĀ a convicted felon who had been released from prison under a ācommunity supervisionā program. Responding officers found the suspect was dead due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An Army veteran, Jacob is survived by his fiancĆ©e.Ā Ā
As we reflect on those weāve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 40, the average tour-of-duty ā 11 years. In addition to losing 58 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 33 widows and 70 children whoāve lost a parent.Ā