In a solemn ceremony at the White House, President Donald Trump awarded the nation's first-ever Medals of Sacrifice to three Palm Beach County deputies who tragically lost their lives last year. According to reporting by CBS12, Corporal Luis Paez, Deputy Sheriff Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, and Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller were honored yesterday, with their families in attendance. The deputies were conducting traffic enforcement when an SUV careered onto the shoulder of the road, hitting them.
During the presentation, President Trump remembered the officers for their dedication to service. "The three officers we recognize today were close friends, who were really close friends and colleagues,” he said, as noted by CBS12. With two Florida congressmembers, Reps. Brian Mast and Byron Donalds present, the president expressed, “It shook the entire Palm Beach community like very, very few events I've ever seen. All of Florida mourned their loss. Today, our entire nation joins in honoring these three incredible patriots taken from us much too soon, much, much too soon.” Struck while on the side of Southern Boulevard in Loxahatchee, the deputies had been trying to get a motorcycle started before the fatal incident.
Family and loved ones received the honors in an intimate Oval Office ceremony. As reported by NBC Miami, the awards came as a federal acknowledgment of the ultimate price they paid while protecting their community. The president, who had attended their memorial service last year, highlighted the deep felt loss within the Palm Beach community.
Florida Congressman Brian Mast, upon stood near the Trump family members, including Eric and Lara Trump, recognized the newly created honor's significance. "That's never taken place before," Mast said in a statement obtained by CBS12, referencing the fact that such a federal recognition had not been previoulsy established for first responders, law enforcement, and firefighters. President Trump, seizing upon the moment of collective mourning and appreciation, announced that his administration would advocate for a bill to award such medals more broadly to those who give their lives in service.
