Protecting The Palm Beaches – March 27th, 2026
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.
Following a 17% rise in Line-of-duty-deaths nationally in 2024, significant progress was made in 2025 as LODs declined by 46% year-over-year to the lowest level this century. Otherwise, it was a mixed bag. A total of 347 officers were shot in the line of duty – a 2% increase year over year.
- We lost 90 heroes in the line of duty in 2025 including 8 in Florida
- We’ve lost 25 heroes in the line of duty in 2026 including 2 in Florida
We’ve lost this hero since the previous update:
- In Calhoun County, Florida, Deputy Steven Bruner (pictured) died of a medical emergency suffered after assisting with the evacuation of over 100 people from a wildfire that covered over 500 acres.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age of the fallen is 37; the average tour-of-duty is 8 years. In addition to losing 25 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 12 widows and 19 children who’ve lost a parent. Remember to back the badge and spread the word. They need us just as much as we need them.