Protecting The Palm Beaches – May 8th, 2026 – Brought to You By Good Greek Moving And Storage
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 36 heroes in the line of duty in 2026 including 2 in Florida
We’ve lost this hero since the previous update:
- In Kentucky, Deputy Richard Coyle (pictured) was murdered while attempting to serve a court ordered guardianship notice. Upon arriving at the residence to serve the legal paperwork, the deputies were met with gunfire. Deputy Coyle was critically injured later succumbing to his injuries. The suspect was killed with return fire. Richard is survived by his wife.
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 36 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 22 widows and 40 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.