Honoring Those Who Gave Their Lives

Police Officer Paul Dunn was killed in a motorcycle crash while en route to the police station on his department motorcycle. Officer Dunn is the 1st law enforcement officer to be killed in a traffic-related incident this year and the first officer fatality from the state of Florida in 2020.

Trooper Joseph Bullock was shot and killed after attempting to assist a disabled motorist. As he approached the disabled vehicle, one of the occupants fatally shot Trooper Bullock. The suspect was then shot and killed by police. Trooper Bullock is the 6th law enforcement officer to be shot and killed this year and the second officer fatality from the state of Florida in 2020.

Deputy Sheriff Shannon Bennett died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty.

 Deputy Bennett had served with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years and served as an SRO at Deerfield Beach Elementary School. He is survived by his fiance, mother, and brother.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Sergeant Jose Diaz-Ayala died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty at the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center.

Sergeant Diaz-Ayala had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years. He is survived by three daughters, two sisters, and parents. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Officer Richard McCoy died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty at the Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades Port of Entry in Florida.

Officer McCoy was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Customs and Border Protection – Office of Field of Operations and the former Immigration and Naturalization Service for 23 years. He was assigned to the Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades Port of Entry. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Wildlife Officer Julian Keen was shot and killed in Labelle when he attempted to stop a hit-and-run suspect while off duty. Hendry County deputies located Officer Keen’s body after responding to reports of a shooting near the intersection of Nobles Road and Apache Circle. Three subjects were taken into custody. Officer Keen had served with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for six years.

Master Detention Deputy Lynn Jones died after contracting COVID-19 in a presumed exposure during an outbreak at the Lake County Jail at 441 W Main Street in Tavares. At the time of Deputy Jones’ exposure, 18 staff members and over 100 inmates had tested positive.

Deputy Jones had served with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and three daughters. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Master Detention Deputy Rick Barry died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates at the Lake County Detention Center in Tavares, Florida.

Deputy Barry was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years. He is survived by his wife and one child. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Sergeant Corey Pendergrass died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty on June 13th, 2020.

Sergeant Pendergrass had served with the Lauderhill Police Department for 20 years and had previously served with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for three years. He is survived by his wife and six children.

Sergeant Pendergrass was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Sergeant Corey Pendergrass died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty on June 13th, 2020.

Sergeant Pendergrass had served with the Lauderhill Police Department for 20 years and had previously served with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for three years. He is survived by his wife and six children.

Sergeant Pendergrass was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Lieutenant Chris Cunningham died after contracting COVID-19 as the result of a confirmed exposure while on duty.

Lieutenant Cunningham was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for 22 years. He is survived by his wife, five children, and three grandchildren.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Lieutenant Aldemar Rengifo died after contracting COVID-19 during an exposure while on duty.

Lieutenant Rengifo had served with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and son.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Detention Deputy Charles Pugh died after contracting COVID-19 following a confirmed exposure in the Santa Rosa County Jail.

Deputy Pugh had served with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office for five years and had previously served with the Florida Department fo Corrections for one year. He is survived by his wife and two children.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Deputy Sheriff Maurice Ford died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmate at the West Detention Center at 38811 James Wheeler Way in Belle Glade.

Deputy Ford had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years. He is survived by his wife and son.

In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to the requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.

Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Nimtz was killed in a vehicle crash while responding to a domestic dispute call. While heading to the call, he collided with a pickup truck. Deputy Sheriff Nimtz is the 24th law enforcement officer to be killed in a traffic-related incident this year and the fourth officer fatality from the state of Florida in 2019.

Police Officer Steven J. Brown suffered a fatal heart attack after completing a third day of training at the Port St. Lucie Police Athletic League’s Police Camp. Officer Brown was one of the leaders at the camp as part of his duties as a School Resource Officer. The camp involved three days of outdoor activities that included an obstacle course. Officer Brown collapsed after returning home from his shift. Officer Brown is the third officer fatality from the state of Florida in 2019.

Lieutenant Joseph Johnson was killed in a single vehicle crash when his vehicle left the roadway, rolled over, and ended up on its roof in a canal. Lieutenant Johnson was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Lieutenant Johnson is the 18th law enforcement officer to be killed in a traffic-related incident this year and the second officer fatality from a Tribal Police Department in 2019.

Police Officer Anthony Neri suffered a fatal heart attack during a training exercise. Officer Neri is the second officer fatality from the state of Florida in 2019.

Master Sergeant Daniel Hinton suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in a training exercise. Sergeant Hinton was transported to the hospital where he passed away. Sergeant Hinton is the first officer fatality from the state of Florida in 2019.