Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice – July 5th, 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 6% higher year-to-date.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 73 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 1 in Florida
- Through June 193 law enforcement officers had been shot in the line of duty, a decrease of 2% over a year ago.
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
- In Wisconsin, Department of Corrections Counselor Corey Proulx (pictured) was killed by a juvenile inmate after he responded to the assault by the inmate on a female counselor. Corey was struck multiple times in the head leaving him brain dead. He died shortly thereafter. The attacker and another inmate who assisted with devices to carry out the attack have been charged with homicide. Corey is survived by a fiancée and daughter.
- In Michigan, Deputy William Butler Jr., was murdered while assisting with a traffic stop. The driver had outstanding arrest warrants and fired on officers striking William before fleeing the scene. The suspect was tracked down by other responding officers a couple of miles away. Responding officers killed the suspect with return fire. An Army veteran, William is survived by his wife and five children.
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 – 12 years. In addition to losing 73 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 44 widows and 94 children who’ve lost a parent.