'Three remarkable heroes': Trump honors PBSO motorcycle deputies killed in November crash
President Donald Trump honored the three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office motorcycle deputies who died in a November roadside crash at the White House on May 19, making them the first recipients of the Medal of Sacrifice.
The medal will go to law-enforcement officers and other first responders killed in the line of the duty.
During a ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump presented the medals to the families of Cpl. Luis Paez and deputies Ralph "Butch" Waller and Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, who died after an SUV struck them on the morning of Nov. 21.
The crash happened on Southern Boulevard west of Wellington while the deputies stood on the shoulder of the road awaiting assistance with one deputy's stalled motorcycle. Waller and Paez died at a hospital that day. Diaz succumbed to his injuries days later. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
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During the White House ceremony, Trump praised the deputies' commitment to protecting the people of Palm Beach County and "well beyond."
'Today, we remember three remarkable heroes who will become the medal's first-ever recipients," the president said. "We will never forget their legacy, and we will never forget the debt we owe all these law-enforcement heroes who have given their lives to keep our communities safe."
Among those joining Trump at the ceremony were his son, Eric, and U.S. Reps. Brian Mast and Byron Donalds. Eric Trump recalled attending a memorial service for the three fallen deputies with his father and Mast in December at the South Florida Fairgrounds. He said that event started a conversation about finding away to honor first responders who die in the line of duty.
"One simple question was asked," he said. "'Why is there no Medal of Valor, Medal of Sacrifice that commemorates law enforcement officers, first responders who have fallen in the line of duty? … We said 'We're going to take care of this problem. We're going to get involved."
Prior to the news conference, Mast introduced a bill before Congress to establish the Medal of Sacrifice Act, which authorizes the President to present an official medal to local, state, or federal law-enforcement officers and first responders who are killed in the line of duty.
The bill would create a commission of 12 law-enforcement officers, appointed by the president, who are charged with determining eligibility for the medal, promoting its establishment and determining procedures for award presentation.
'Every day, law-enforcement officers and first responders risk their lives while protecting our communities,' Mast said. 'While we will never be able to truly thank the officers we have lost, this medal is a small way to express our eternal gratitude to those heroes and their loved ones. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.'
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The medals will feature national symbols and heraldic elements, including the Great Seal of the United States, redesigned by Tiffany & Co. in 1885. The word 'sacrifice" is inscribed on them, as well as three oak leaves, representing strength, resilience, and honoring the families of the fallen.
The medals were designed by the Arnault family, owners of Tiffany & Co. The family agreed to participate 'without hesitation,' Eric Trump said. After accepting the award, Paez' son, Cameron, spoke to reporters.
'I viewed my dad as Superman, someone my whole life you look up to," he said. "An amazing guy. It's horrible that this happened to all three families, but I'm glad that something was done about it and we got represented and everyone in the future will be."
Trump said he will look into possibility of awarding to medal to first responders involved in past of line of duty deaths. He presented a fourth medal to be given to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw in the event that it is need to honor another deputy in the future.
"I hope it never has to be given out," he said.
Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump honors three PBSO motorcycle deputies killed in November crash
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