Political rivals set aside their differences to honor fallen law enforcement officers at a solemn ceremony in West Palm Beach.
According to Fox News, thousands gathered at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheater on Tuesday morning to pay tribute to three Palm Beach Sheriff's Office deputies who lost their lives in a devastating roadside crash on November 21.
The memorial service honored Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, and Corporal Luis Paez, who were struck by a Jeep SUV while attending to a motorcycle issue on Southern Boulevard. The incident occurred near Wellington, where the deputies had pulled over to the shoulder of the road. Two deputies were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital, while Deputy Diaz succumbed to his injuries following surgery.
President-elect Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis joined the sea of law enforcement officers and community members at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Eric Trump was also present at the ceremony. The memorial service, which began with a procession at 9:30 a.m., was expected to draw more than 7,000 attendees.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw delivered an emotional address at the Fallen Officer's Memorial Wall, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the tragedy. He shared his profound grief and the challenges of confronting such devastating losses.
Sheriff Bradshaw stated:
You can train the deputies to deal with bad guys, for traffic stops, high speed chases. There's no training for this. They never saw it coming. They never had a chance to try and save themselves.
The three deputies represented decades of combined service to their community. Diaz, 51, had served with PBSO since 2004 and dedicated over ten years to the motor unit. Paez, 58, contributed an impressive 36-year career to law enforcement, beginning as a corrections deputy in 1988. Waller, 54, brought extensive experience from both the Royal Palm Beach Police Department and PBSO's motor unit.
The fatal incident occurred when a driver attempted to pass a slower vehicle by moving toward the shoulder, ultimately striking all three deputies. The driver is cooperating with investigators, and while the crash is being investigated as a traffic homicide case, no charges have been filed at this time.
Sheriff Bradshaw offered another poignant reflection on the impact of losing fellow officers, "When a deputy dies, a piece of the community dies with them."
The memorial service featured a comprehensive program lasting from 11 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m. Law enforcement officers from various agencies participated in the procession along State Road 7, creating a powerful display of unity and respect. The American flag hung prominently above the stage, symbolizing the deputies' service to their country.
The investigation continues under the Florida Highway Patrol's supervision, with authorities carefully examining all aspects of the tragic collision. The community's response has demonstrated the profound impact these officers had on those they served and protected.
Family members of the fallen deputies were present at the memorial, receiving support from both the law enforcement community and political leaders who set aside their differences to honor these brave officers.
The tragic loss of Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, and Corporal Luis Paez brought together thousands of mourners, including President-elect Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis, at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheater in West Palm Beach. The three Palm Beach Sheriff's Office deputies were struck by a vehicle while stopped on Southern Boulevard's shoulder on November 21, leading to their untimely deaths.
