Protecting The Palm Beaches – October 16th, 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 75 heroes in the line of duty in 2026 including 3 in Florida
We've lost these heroes since the previous update:
- In South Dakota, Special Agent Quincy Kjerstad died of injuries sustained during a training program. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
- In Pennsylvania, Officer Shane Seiber was murdered while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Upon arriving on scene officers were ambushed with gun fire. Shane and his partner were struck multiple times. The suspect, who has a lengthy criminal record, fled the scene but was apprehended after a search and neighborhood lockdown. He has been charged with homicide of a law enforcement officer, murder generally, and ten counts of attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer. Shane was an Air Force veteran who is survived by his wife and two children.
- In Brevard County, Florida – Homicide Agent Kevin Morries was killed by a wrong-way driver on I-95 while responding to an emergency call of an officer-involved shooting. Kevin is survived by a wife and three children.
- In South Dakota, Deputy Katherine Frank (pictured) was murdered while serving an ordered mental illness hold. The suspect opened fire on deputies killing Katherine. The suspect was captured and has been charged with three counts of attempted first‑degree murder of a law enforcement officer- premeditation, and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age of the fallen is 40; the average tour-of-duty is 10 years. In addition to losing 75 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 50 widows and 98 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.