A memorial service honored three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies who tragically lost their lives in a roadside accident on November 21st. The service, held on Tuesday morning in West Palm Beach, Florida, drew thousands of mourners.

Deputies Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, Ralph "Butch" Waller, and Corporal Luis Paez were on their motorcycles on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard when a Jeep SUV struck them. Waller and Paez died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Diaz, initially in critical condition, underwent surgery but later succumbed to his injuries.

Notable attendees included President-elect Donald Trump, Governor Ron DeSantis, and Eric Trump. Sheriff Ric Bradshaw addressed the gathering, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the tragedy and the lack of preparation for such incidents. He noted that over 7,000 people were expected to attend the memorial, reflecting the community's profound loss.

The incident occurred as the deputies were pulled over with one seemingly experiencing a motorcycle issue. A passing SUV driver, attempting to overtake a slower vehicle, swerved onto the shoulder, hitting all three deputies. Sheriff Bradshaw stressed the importance of responsible driving, highlighting the destructive potential of vehicles. The driver of the SUV is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

The memorial service included a procession and a formal service at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheater. The biographies of the fallen deputies were shared, highlighting their dedicated years of service to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Diaz served for over 10 years in the motor unit, Paez for over 36 years with PBSO, and Waller for over 18 years, including time with the Royal Palm Beach Police Department before its merger with PBSO.

Sheriff Bradshaw spoke about the difficulty of consoling the families of fallen officers, emphasizing the enduring pain of such losses. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash as a traffic homicide, and while no charges have been filed against the driver at this time, the investigation remains ongoing.

Deputy Sheriff Ignacio 'Dan' Diaz. (PBSO)

Corporal Luis Paez. (PBSO/ODMP)

Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, Jr. (PBSO/ODMP)

Law enforcement officers head south on State Road 7 on Dec. 3, 2024 during a procession for three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies who died last month in a roadside crash. (Damon Higgins/Imagn)

Law enforcement officers head south on State Road 7 during a procession on Dec. 3, 2024 for three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies who died last month in a roadside crash. (Damon Higgins/Imagn)

Law enforcement officers head south on Dec. 3, 2024 on State Road 7 during a procession for three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies who died last month in a roadside crash. (Damon Higgins/Imagn)

Law enforcement officers ride their motorcycles south along State Road 7 during a procession for three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies who died last month in a roadside crash. (Damon Higgins/Imagn)

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