Two motorcycle officers from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Corporal Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller, were killed in a car accident near Loxahatchee, Florida, while another, Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, was badly hurt. The Sheriff’s Office told CBS News Miami that the accident occurred on Southern Boulevard yesterday morning. According to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, the incident was a “horrific accident.”
According to a statement obtained by Local 10 News, the deputies were enforcing traffic laws when a woman in a 2019 Jeep SUV lost control and veered off the road while attempting to pass a slower-moving vehicle. The woman struck the officers and “send all three airborne in different directions.” When the crash occurred, the deputies were waiting for a PBSO vehicle to supply a battery jumper. Both Paez and Waller, who were renowned for their commitment and service, worked for the department for more than 36 years and 18 years, respectively. Diaz has been with PBSO since 2004 and is still in severe condition.
The SUV’s driver, a Pennsylvania woman in her 30s, was just slightly hurt and was not thought to have been intoxicated at the time of the collision. She was traveling at the speed limit, according to the PBSO and the main investigative agency, the Florida Highway Patrol. Yesterday afternoon, the remains of the dead deputies were transferred from the hospital to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office in a sad procession accompanied by a sizable escort of law enforcement officers. “These guys were taken in their prime,” one man told CBS News Miami.
In a statement that Local 10 was able to receive, Bradshaw stated, “When a deputy dies, a piece of the community dies with them.” Due to the incident, Lion Country Safari has temporarily closed its entrance, and drivers are being asked to find other routes.
The PBSO said, “We are grieving the loss of our brothers who dedicated their lives to serving and protecting Palm Beach County,” demonstrating that the event’s effects go far beyond traffic reroutes. Together, we pay tribute to their memories and provide support to their friends, family, and coworkers during this extremely difficult time. As we pledge to carry on their service legacy, their bravery and commitment to duty will always be remembered. Please keep D/S Diaz and his family in your prayers and thoughts during this extremely trying time. As Deputy Diaz fights for his life, the PBSO asks for thoughts and prayers for him and his family in these difficult times, as perLocal 10.
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