PALM BEACH COUNTY – A memorial service is set for Tuesday to honor three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies who tragically died in a crash last month. Corporal Luis Paez and deputies Butch Waller and Ignacio “Dan” Diaz were performing traffic enforcement duties when they were hit by a Jeep SUV on Nov. 21 while parked on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard in Loxahatchee. The driver, a woman in her 30s from Pennsylvania, was traveling eastbound when she abruptly veered to the right to avoid a slower vehicle, as stated by Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Indiana Miranda.
The collision resulted in Paez and Waller being pronounced dead at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Diaz, who was critically injured in the crash, succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 25. The procession for the fallen deputies will commence at 9:30 a.m. from Palm West Funeral Home in Royal Palm Beach and will travel through various routes, allowing the public to pay their respects by lining the processional route.
The memorial service, to be held at iThink Financial Amphitheater at the South Florida Fairgrounds, will start at 11 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) has requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association Fund to support the families of the deceased deputies. Traffic delays are expected along the procession route, including Okeechobee Boulevard and Crestwood Boulevard.
In a statement, the PBSO expressed their gratitude for the community’s understanding and cooperation as they come together to honor their fallen heroes. Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered the United States and State of Florida flags in Palm Beach County to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday as a mark of respect.
This service is not only a tribute to the lives and dedication of Corporal Paez, Deputy Waller, and Deputy Diaz but also a reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily. The community’s support is crucial as the families and colleagues of the fallen deputies navigate this profound loss. The tragic incident has highlighted the inherent dangers of traffic enforcement duties and the importance of road safety for all motorists.
