Protecting The Palm Beaches – April 17th, 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 30 heroes in the line of duty in 2026 including 2 in Florida
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update:
- In Oklahoma, Trooper Vernon Brake was killed by a wrong lane driver in a head-on-collusion while on patrol. He’s survived by his wife and two children.
- In California, Detective Randy Hoppert was murdered while responding to a call for backup when officers serving an eviction notice were met with gunfire. Randy engaged in a firefight upon arriving on the scene and was quickly hit dying later of his injuries. After a six-hour standoff the suspect made a run for it while firing at officers when he was struck and killed by a tactical vehicle. Randy was a Navy veteran and is survived by his pregnant wife.
- In Puerto Rico, Agent Eddie Santiago-Renta was murdered during an undercover narcotics operation. Eddie and other law enforcement professionals attempted to apprehend drug traffickers during an active exchange of illegal narcotics when they were fired upon by the suspects striking and killing Eddie. All three suspects were captured. Eddie is survived by his wife and four children.
- In Tennessee, Deputy Landon Faulkner died of injuries sustained during a crash involving a disabled truck. He’s survived by his wife and four children.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age of the fallen is 41; the average tour-of-duty is 10 years. In addition to losing 30 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 18 widows and 34 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.