Fallen Heroes

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Paul M. Patrick, town marshal for Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Manhattan Beach in 1932.  Marshal Paul Patrick was the first Atlantic Beach law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty.  On September 10, 1932 there was a fire in the Atlantic Beach town hall while Marshal Patrick was inside. He was unable to escape the fire,  was severely injured and succumbed to his wounds on September 12, 1932. There are very few records of the fire and no report of an investigation however, there is much conjecture about how the fire actually started and how the Marshal was injured in the burning building. 

A historical marker stands at the site of the original town hall to ensure his sacrifice will never be forgotten. In 2023, Paul Patrick’s name was added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.

Patrick  According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, "Today, in the United States, more than 900,000 law enforcement officers put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others. They serve with valor and distinction – and with great success. Federal statistics show that violent and property crime rates in the United States are at historic lows, thanks in large measure to the dedicated service of the men and women of law enforcement.

That protection comes at a price, however. Each year, there are approximately 60,000 assaults on law enforcement officers, resulting in nearly 16,000 injuries. Sadly, over the last decade, an average of 146 officers a year have been killed in the line of duty. And throughout U.S. history, more than 20,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice" (www.nleomf.org, 2015).

"On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 60 hours.  Since, the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, more than 20,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice" (www.nleomf.org, 2015).

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