“All Gave Some, Some Gave All”

Deputy Sheriff Ignacio “Dan” Diaz
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff Dan Diaz succumbed to injuries he received when he, Corporal Luis Paez, and Deputy Sheriff Waller were struck by a vehicle on Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee at 9:00 a.m. on November 21, 2024.
One of the deputies had completed a traffic stop when his patrol motorcycle would not start. The deputy called other officers for assistance. While Deputy Diaz, Deputy Waller, and Corporal Paez were waiting for another deputy to help with the disabled motorcycle, a driver traveling east on Southern Boulevard switched lanes to pass a slower vehicle, overcompensated, and struck all three deputies. The responding deputy witnessed the collision.
Deputy Waller and Corporal Paez were life-flighted to St. Mary’s Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Deputy Diaz passed away four days later.
The driver suffered minor injuries.
Deputy Diaz had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for over 20 years.
Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller, Jr.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff Butch Waller and Corporal Luis Paez were struck and killed, and Deputy Sheriff Dan Diaz was critically injured on Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee at 9:00 a.m.
One of the deputies had completed a traffic stop when his patrol motorcycle would not start. The deputy called other officers for assistance. While the three deputies were waiting for another deputy to help with the disabled motorcycle, a driver traveling east on Southern Boulevard switched lanes to pass a slower vehicle, overcompensated, and struck all three deputies. The responding deputy witnessed the collision.
Deputy Waller and Corporal Paez were life-flighted to St. Mary’s Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Deputy Diaz succumbed to his injuries four days later.
The driver suffered minor injuries.
Deputy Waller had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years.
Corporal Luis Paez
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Corporal Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Butch Waller were struck and killed, and Deputy Sheriff Dan Diaz was critically injured on Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee at 9:00 a.m.
One of the deputies had completed a traffic stop when his patrol motorcycle would not start. The deputy called other officers for assistance. While the three deputies were waiting for another deputy to help with the disabled motorcycle, a driver traveling east on Southern Boulevard switched lanes to pass a slower vehicle, overcompensated, and struck all three deputies. The responding deputy witnessed the collision.
Corporal Paez and Deputy Waller were life-flighted to St. Mary’s Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Deputy Diaz died from his injuries four days later.
The driver suffered minor injuries.
Corporal Paez had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 36 years and served as a motor officer for over 20 years.
Deputy Sheriff Carlos Antonio Hernandez
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff Carlos Hernandez died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Deputy Hernandez had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years and was assigned to the Okeelanta Division. He had previously served with the Royal Palm Beach Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, father, parents, and sister.
Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders have died as a result of COVID-19, and continue to do so as the virus spreads across the United States.
Deputy Sheriff Angela Chavers
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff Angela Chavers died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmates Main Detention Center.
Deputy Chavers had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years and was assigned to the Inmate Management Division. She is survived by her son and niece, who she had custody of.
In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Deputy Sheriff Maurice Ford
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Sheriff Maurice Ford died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among staff and inmate at the West Detention Center at 38811 James Wheeler Way in Belle Glade.
Deputy Ford had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years. He is survived by his wife and son.
In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Sergeant Jose Diaz-Ayala
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Sergeant Jose Diaz-Ayala died after contracting COVID-19 while on duty at the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center.
Sergeant Diaz-Ayala had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 14 years. He is survived by three daughters, two sisters, and parents.
In early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country contracted COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic due to requirements of their job. Many of these first responders died as a result of COVID-19.
Police Officer Bruce Edwin St. Laurent
Jupiter Police Department
Police Officer Bruce St. Laurent was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck on the I-95 on-ramp, at 45th Street, at about 4:40 pm.
Officer St. Laurent was assigned to the motorcade escorting President Barack Obama from a campaign event in Palm Beach County.…
Read MorePolice Officer Bruce St. Laurent was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck on the I-95 on-ramp, at 45th Street, at about 4:40 pm.
Officer St. Laurent was assigned to the motorcade escorting President Barack Obama from a campaign event in Palm Beach County. He was struck as he was preparing to close access to the highway from the on-ramp as the presidential motorcade neared. The impact pushed him and the motorcycle into a guardrail.
He was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officer St. Laurent had served with the Jupiter Police Department for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Sergeant Adam Greg Rosenthal
Delray Beach Police Department
Sergeant Adam Rosenthal was killed in an automobile accident near the intersection of Southwest 18th Street and Boca Rio Road in Boca Raton at approximately 6:15 am.
He was reporting to the station at the beginning of his shift when his patrol car struck a tree in the median.…
Read MoreSergeant Adam Rosenthal was killed in an automobile accident near the intersection of Southwest 18th Street and Boca Rio Road in Boca Raton at approximately 6:15 am.
He was reporting to the station at the beginning of his shift when his patrol car struck a tree in the median. He was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Sergeant Rosenthal had served with the Delray Beach Police Department for 16 years. He is survived by his four children.