Protecting The Palm Beaches, A Tribute to Those Who Serve and Sacrifice – November 22nd, 2024
Bottom Line: This weekly feature is designed to recognize those who've paid the ultimate price in service and to serve as a reminder of what our police risk to keep us safe. After years of increases in LODs, including multiple record years, thankfully 2023 produced the fewest line-of-duty deaths in the 2000’s.
- We lost 123 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2023 including 3 in Florida
- We’ve lost 120 heroes in the line-of-duty in 2024 including 5 in Florida
- Through October 301 law enforcement officers had been shot in the line of duty
We’ve lost these heroes since the previous update.
- In Loxahatchee, on Southern Blvd. Near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Deputy Ralph “Butch” Waller, Corporal Luiz Paez and Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz were struck by a motorist while on motor patrol. One of the officers had completed a traffic stop when his patrol motorcycle would not start. The officer called other officers for assistance. While the three officers were waiting for another help with the disabled motorcycle, a driver traveling east on Southern Boulevard switched lanes to pass a slower vehicle, overcompensated, and struck all three. All three were transported to St. Mary's Medical Center, where Deputy Waller and Corporal Paez were pronounced deceased. Deputy Diaz is in critical condition.
As we reflect on those we’ve lost, please remember the families of our fallen as well. The average age is 39, the average tour-of-duty – 11 years. In addition to losing 120 law enforcement professionals in the line-of-duty this year, there are 66 widows and 145 children who’ve lost a parent.