This week, we were heartbroken to learn of the passing of another law enforcement hero, Tampa Police Department Officer Jesse Madsen. Already this year, Florida has lost eight brave law enforcement officers, compared to two during the same time period last year, and I am urging Floridians to show support for those behind the badge who serve and protect their communities.

Officer Madsen passed in the overnight hours of Monday, when his patrol car was hit by a driver headed the wrong way on the interstate. Officer Madsen will be remembered throughout the Tampa Bay community for his life-saving work and for receiving the Tampa Police Department’s Life-Saving Award seven times. It is reported that Officer Madsen veered into the wrong-way driver’s vehicle to protect others—his final act on Earth likely saving the lives of many of his fellow Floridians.

As the wife of a law enforcement officer, I am heartbroken for Officer Madsen’s family, and for each member of law enforcement that we have lost this year already. I have attended far too many law enforcement funerals and watched too many of our law enforcement family mourn the loss of a member of our crime-fighting family.

I am calling on all Floridians to show support for the brave men and women in this profession. We must do better. Our courageous officers have stood for us and served their communities through this deadly pandemic and civil unrest—never faltering in their resolve to uphold the oath they took to protect the communities they love. Let’s come together to uplift these heroes and show them our unwavering support.

By backing our law enforcement heroes who work every day to protect us, we will build a Stronger, Safer Florida.