Protecting The Palm Beaches – March 13th, 2026
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 23 heroes in the line of duty in 2026 including 1 in Florida
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update:
- In North Carolina, Deputy Kaleb Mitchell was struck and killed by a wrong way driver traveling over 100 mph while on patrol. The driver has been charged with second-degree murder, reckless driving, speeding, and wrong lane driving. Kaleb is survived by his pregnant wife and 2-year-old child.
- In Pennsylvania, Corporal Timothy O’Connor was murdered while conducting a traffic stop. After stopping a vehicle with a driver reported to be driving erratically, Timothy was fired upon while approaching the vehicle. The driver died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Timothy is survived by his wife and daughter.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age of the fallen is 37; the average tour-of-duty is 9 years. In addition to losing 23 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 12 widows and 19 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.