Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice – August 2nd, 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. Fortunately, progress is continuing to be made. LODs are 3% lower year-to-date.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 84 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 2 in Florida
- Through July 223 law enforcement officers had been shot in the line of duty
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
- In Illinois, Officer Rafael Wordlaw was murdered while attempting to stop an armed robber at a gas station. Rafael was fired upon by the suspect and was struck 69 times. Rafael managed to strike the suspect with return fire which enabled law enforcement to detain the suspect when he sought medical treatment for his wounds. The suspect had just been released from prison after serving only one year of an eight-year sentence.
- In Lake County, Florida Master Deputy Bradley Link was murdered (pictured) in an ambush attack while responding to a disturbance call. Upon arriving on the scene, a door to the house was open and someone was yelling inside. When deputies entered, they were fired upon. All three were struck by gun fire with Bradley’s wounds proving to be fatal. There were two murders conducted at the residence in addition to the murder of Deputy Link. The suspect was arrested. Bradley was an Army Reserve veteran who is survived by his wife.
- In Tennessee, Officer Demetrice Johnson was killed in a crash while responding to a shooting. Officer Johnson was struck by a vehicle fleeing the scene of the shooting. He’s survived by his wife and son.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 39, the average tour-of-duty – 11 years. In addition to losing 84 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 50 widows and 104 children who’ve lost a parent.