Protecting The Palm Beaches – January 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 5 heroes in the line of duty in 2026
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update:
- In Texas, Deputy Aaron Armstrong was murdered while attempting to conduct an arrest of a violent person at a night club. The suspect attacked the deputy fleeing to the parking lot where a group of people blocked him from reaching the suspect. The suspect then opened fire killing Aaron and one of the people obstructing justice drove him while fleeing the scene. The suspect was captured by responding law enforcement and has been charged with murder. The driver has been charged with assault of an officer.
- In Washington, D.C. Officer Terry Bennett was struck an killed by a motorist while assisting a disabled motorist on the side shoulder of an Interstate. The motorist was found to have acted intentionally, was apprehended and was charged with second degree murder. He’s survived by his wife and three children.
- In Massachusetts, Officer Stephen LaPorta was struck and killed by a motorist while assisting a disabled motorist during an ice storm. He’s survived by his wife and child.
- In Texas, Officer Elijan Garretson was murdered during an ambush while responding to a suspicious person report. Upon arriving on the scene Elijan was fired upon. The suspect died of a self-inflicted wound. An Army veteran, he’s survived by his wife and daughter.
- In Puerto Rico, Agent Anibal Aponte was struck and killed while on patrol by a motorist who ran a red light. He’s survived by his wife and two 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 9 years. In addition to losing 5 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 4 widows and 7 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.