Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office » Officer Down Memorial

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.

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 Jacinto Navarro died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Deputy Navarro had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 38 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.

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 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.

Deputy Donta Manuel and Deputy Jonathan Wallace were struck and killed by a patrol car while attempting to remove stop sticks from the roadway.

A stolen vehicle that was being pursued by other deputies had just passed over the stop sticks and the two deputies ran into the road to remove them. It is believed that, because of the darkness, the deputies did not observe how fast the pursuing units were following behind the suspect vehicle. One of the pursuing patrol cars struck both deputies, killing them. The driver of that patrol car was seriously injured and flown to a local hospital.

One of the suspects in the stolen car was apprehended a short time later.

Deputy Manuel had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.