Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice – October 11th, 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. LODs are currently pacing 5% lower than a year ago.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 112 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 2 in Florida
- Through September 283 law enforcement officers had been shot in the line of duty
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
- In Arkansas, Corporal Raymond Kuuchi died due to injuries sustained during a training exercise. He’s survived by a wife and four children.
- In Texas, Deputy Lex Love died in an accident while on patrol. He’s survived by a wife and three children.
- In Minnesota, Ranger Kevin Grossheim (pictured) drowned during a boat rescue. Amid rough conditions Kevin successfully rescued a family of three, however while unloading the people he’d rescued, his boat capsized.
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 – 10 years. In addition to losing 112 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 61 widows and 138 children who’ve lost a parent.