Margate Police Honor Major Banatte and Lieutenant Hofer for Decades of Service

by David Volz September 17, 2026

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Margate Chief Michael Palma with Major Alain Banatte and Coconut Creek police chief Fred Hofer with his wife, Lieutenant Lori Hofer. {David Volz}

Margate Lieutenant Lori Hofer was honored for 30 years of service at the September 16 meeting, where Chief Michael Palma presented her with a plaque praising her years of service.

“Lieutenant Hofer has evolved as a leader and finds a way to make situations better,” said Palma.

Hofer has served as a school resource officer at Liberty Elementary School, overseen special projects, and led by professional standards, Palma said.

Lori is married to Coconut Creek Police Chief Fred Hofer, and he and their adult children attended the ceremony. “Sometimes it can be challenging because we are both leaders in law enforcement, but we have always supported each other,” said Fred.

Major Alain Banatte was honored for 20 years of service to the police department. Palma praised him for his dedication to the city’s law enforcement and said,

“Twenty years is a milestone in a law enforcement career.”

Banatte began his career with Margate in 2006 as a patrol officer. He has worked as a detective in the Special Operations Division investigating cases including vice, intelligence, and narcotics. As a detective, he was detached as a member of the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force and investigated federal narcotics trafficking cases.

In 2014, Banatte was promoted to sergeant and spent two years as a patrol supervisor. In 2018, he became a supervisor in the Investigative Services Bureau. In 2020,

Banatte became a lieutenant, and in 2021, he became commander of the Investigative Services Division. In 2024, he was promoted to Major. Banatte commands the Special Response Team and serves as a public information officer. In 2011, he received the Officer of the Year Award, Palma said.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.