In a tragedy that has shaken Palm Beach County, two motorcycle deputies were killed, and another was critically injured after a devastating crash on Thursday morning.
The crash occurred on State Road 80 in Loxahatchee as the deputies were conducting traffic enforcement, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.
A Routine Moment Turns Tragic
While on duty, the deputies paused when one of their motorcycles wouldn’t start. Standing on the grassy shoulder awaiting jumper cables, the three were struck by an SUV that veered off the road. Sheriff Bradshaw explained during a news conference that the female driver of the SUV had “overcompensated” to avoid a slower vehicle, causing the crash.
The impact was catastrophic. The deputies were sent airborne in various directions. Two of the officers were later pronounced dead at the hospital, while the third remains in critical condition in the ICU.
Honoring the Fallen
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office shared the identities of the fallen deputies:
- Corporal Luis Paez, who served over 36 years in law enforcement, began his career in January 1988 as a corrections deputy. For more than 20 years, Paez excelled as a motor deputy on Road Patrol.
- Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller, with over 18 years of distinguished service in PBSO’s motor unit, started his career at the Royal Palm Beach Police Department before its 2008 merger with PBSO.
Both men are remembered for their unwavering dedication to their roles.
Praying for Recovery
The third deputy, Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Joining PBSO in 2004, Diaz has been a dedicated member of the motor unit for over a decade. The department released a heartfelt message asking for prayers for Diaz and his family:
This is our hero, Deputy Ignacio ‘Dan’ Diaz, currently fighting for his life. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for him and his family.
A Community in Mourning
Sheriff Bradshaw described the incident as a “horrific accident,” adding that the SUV driver, who remains uncharged, did not appear impaired.
“Law enforcement, public safety and the military are the only professions when you leave your house and kiss your family goodbye, that might be the last time,” Bradshaw said.
Hundreds of officers gathered outside St. Mary’s Medical Center to offer comfort and solidarity. Later, ambulances carrying the fallen deputies’ bodies were escorted to the medical examiner’s office in a somber seven-mile procession, lights flashing in tribute.
A sheriff’s spokesperson expressed the department’s grief in a statement:
“We are mourning the loss of our brothers who dedicated their lives to serving and protecting Palm Beach County,” a sheriff’s spokesperson said in a statement. “We stand together, honoring their memory and supporting their families, friends, and colleagues through this time of immense sorrow. Let us remember their courage and commitment to duty as we pledge to continue their legacy of service.”
