Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice – June 28th, 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.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 71 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 1 in Florida
- Through May 164 law enforcement officers had been shot in the line of duty, a decrease of 1% over a year ago.
We’ve lost this hero since the previous update.
- In Louisiana, Corporal Pricilla Soell Pierson suffered a fatal heart attack while responding to a residential shooting. She’s survived by her husband, and three children.
- In Pennsylvania, Constable Philip Michael died due to injuries sustained in a crash while in pursuit of a suspect. He’s survived by a wife and two children.
- In Michigan, Deputy Bradley Reckling (pictured) was murdered while investigating a stolen vehicle. Three suspects who opened fire on Bradley were captured by responding deputies. He’s survived by his pregnant wife and three children.
- In Puerto Rico, Agent Luis De Jesus was struck and killed while on patrol.
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 71 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 42 widows and 88 children who’ve lost a parent.