Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice – July 19th, 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 5% higher year-to-date.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 78 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 Ohio, Officer Jamieson Ritter was murdered while attempting to serve an arrest warrant. Upon attempting to serve a warrant for numerous felonies, the suspect attempted to flee the scene while firing at officers striking and killing Jamison. Responding officers detained the suspect who has been charged with murder. Jamieson was an Army National Guard veteran.
- In California, Officer Matthew Bowen was struck and killed by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop. The driver was under the influence of drugs. He’s survived by a wife and two children.
- In Texas, Deputy Fernando Esqueda (pictured) was murdered in an ambush while investigating a reported assault. Upon spotting the vehicle owned by the suspect he was shot several times. Two suspects were arrested the next day and charged with murder. He’s survived by his fiancée.
- In Oklahoma, Corporal Robert Sumner was killed in a crash while transporting prisoners. He is survived by his pregnant wife.
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 78 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 47 widows and 97 children who’ve lost a parent.