Protecting the Palm Beaches – a tribute to those who serve and sacrifice
Bottom Line: This weekly feature is designed to recognize those who've paid the ultimate price to serve their communities and to serve as a reminder of what our police risk to keep us safe.
This is the unfortunate news you need to know:
- 148 police officers died in the line of duty in 2018 – 16% higher year over year & the top cause of death was murder for the first time on record
- 15 police officers have now died while serving in 2019
- We lost another five heroes over the past week
In Louisiana, Corporal Shane Totty was struck and killed while conducting a funeral procession escort, he’s survived by a wife and infant. In Ohio,Detective William Brewer was murdered while responding to a suicide threat, he’s survived by a wife and son. In Texas, Border Patrol Agent Donna Doss was killed while assisting in the pursuit of an illegal immigrant at our southern border, she’s survived by a husband and two children. In Virginia,Trooper Lucas Dowell was murdered while investigating a narcotics warrant. In Wisconsin,officer Matthew Rittner was murdered as he also was carrying out a narcotics investigation. Matthew was a Marine veteran and is survived by his wife.
Please remember the families of our fallen heroes as well. In addition to already losing fifteen officers this year, there are nine widows and twelve children who’ve lost a parent.
Overall deaths are already pacing 15% above 2018.
Remember to back the badge and spread the word. Media often aren't there for our law enforcement, but we can be. Let our police, and their families, know we support them every chance you get. They need it, now more than ever, just as we need them more than ever.