On April 21, 1986 Deputy Mark Bohne was shot 5 times while investigating a disturbance at a local business. Deputy Bohne had a wife and two children and was in the process of constructing a new home. Deputy Gary Hogan, a close friend, decided to raise funds to help with Bohne's extraordinary expenses during his recovery. Hogan contacted local dairy farmer, Billy Bowman for assistance. Bowman, along with other members of the community held a benefit barbeque to raise funds for the Bohne family.

Approximately one year later, Deputy Bill Timmsen was shot five times while attempting to arrest a dangerous felon in the Belle Glade area of Palm Beach County. Bohne, Hogan, and Bowman banded together and raised funds for the Timmsen family. A benefit barbeque was successful in raising funds for the Timmsen family.

Bohne, Hogan and Bowman then decided that there should be a permanent means in place to assist officers when emergency funds are needed. They sought out community leaders and law enforcement officers from throughout the county and formed LEAF. The LEAF Board of Directors includes citizens and local law enforcement officers from Florida Highway Patrol, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other local city police agencies.

LEAF assists any law enforcement officer that is seriously injured in the line of duty in Palm Beach County, including federal, state and local Police Officers. Recently the LEAF Board recognized that Reserve Officers and Community Service Aides who are involved in police activities are also subject to many of the dangers of certified police officers. The LEAF Board adopted policies that now cover these law enforcement employees. LEAF also gives grants to officers that suffer a catastrophic injury while off duty.

Our major fundraising activity is the annual LEAF golf tournament. We have been assisted in our efforts by Donald Trump, Greg Norman, Nick Price, the Palm Beach County Commission, Palm Beach County PBA, Fraternal Order of Police and many other community and political leaders.

LEAF is endorsed by every law enforcement agency in Palm Beach County and has been recognized by the Governors Office.