Latest news with #MedalofSacrificeAct
American Military News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Video: Trump awards first ‘Medals of Sacrifice' to 3 cops killed in Florida
President Donald Trump awarded the first 'Medals of Sacrifice' on Monday to three Florida law enforcement officials who were killed in the line of duty last November. During a presentation of the medals, Trump said, 'We award the first ever Medals of Sacrifice to three heroic law enforcement officers from Palm Beach County, Florida.' .@POTUS: "We award the first ever Medals of Sacrifice to three heroic law enforcement officers from Palm Beach County, Florida… Earlier today, @RepBrianMast introduced a bill to ensure this new medal will be awarded to any law enforcement officer or first responder who gives… — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 19, 2025 According to The Post Millennial, Trump awarded the medals to Palm Beach County Cpl. Luis Paez, Jr, Deputy Sheriff Ralph 'Butch' Waller Jr., and Deputy Sheriff Ignacio 'Dan' Diaz. The Post Millennial reported that Trump described the three law enforcement officials as 'really close friends and colleagues' who 'dedicated their lives to protecting the people of Palm Beach County and well beyond.' 'They were beloved by everyone and respected by all,' Trump said. 'Really, really top of the line people.' Trump explained that the three Florida police officers were killed in a 'horrific accident' in November that involved an SUV hitting them while they were helping restart a motorcycle on the side of the road. The president said he was 'deeply honored to attend their memorial service last year.' 'To all of those who loved these brave men, we are deeply sorry for your loss and eternally grateful for their sacrifice, their great sacrifice,' Trump added. 'We will never forget their legacy, and we will never forget the debt we owe all of these great law enforcement heroes who have given their lives to keep our community safe and make America strong again.' READ MORE: Medal of Honor recipient reenlists with US Marines In a Monday press release, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) announced that he had introduced a new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, the 'Medal of Sacrifice Act,' which would authorize 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.' 'Every day, law enforcement officers and first responders risk their lives while protecting our communities,' Mast said in Monday's press release. '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.' According to Fox 13, Trump explained that his administration is considering the possibility of awarding medals to other law enforcement officials and first responders who previously died in the line of duty. 'We're looking at going back a little bit and see what we can do about that,' the president said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'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. 'They were lions': Mourners honor three PBSO deputies killed in SUV crash near Wellington 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.' Remembering the fallen: Union honors 3 PBSO deputies killed in Southern Boulevard crash 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@ 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
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump awards ‘Medal of Sacrifice' to Palm Beach County deputies killed in crash
Three Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office motorcycle deputies who died in a crash last year were honored by President Donald Trump on Monday with the 'first ever' Medal of Sacrifice, a newly created honor from the White House for first responders who die in the line of duty. Trump, his son Eric Trump, and U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, who represents northern Palm Beach, announced the new honor in the Oval Office with relatives of Deputy Ignacio 'Dan' Diaz, Cpl. Luis Paez and Deputy Ralph 'Butch' Waller in attendance. Diaz, Paez and Waller were waiting on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard about 9:30 a.m. Nov. 21 for help to arrive because one of their motorcycles broke down when the driver of an SUV swerved off the road while trying to pass a slower car and crashed into the three of them, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw previously told reporters. Waller and Paez died the same day. Diaz was hospitalized in critical condition and died on Nov. 25. The three motormen had each rode in Trump's presidential motorcades. Trump, Eric Trump and Mast attended the deputies' memorial services in December, prompting the idea for the Medal of Sacrifice, Eric Trump said. 'One simple question was asked. Why is there no medal, 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,' he said. Paez's son, Cameron, briefly spoke to reporters after accepting the award. 'I viewed my dad as Superman, someone my whole life you look up to. 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,' he said. The medals were designed by the Arnault family, whose luxury conglomerate LVMH acquired Tiffany & Co. The family agreed 'without hesitation,' Eric Trump said at the news conference. The word 'sacrifice' is inscribed on the medals, in addition to three oak leaves to represent 'strength, resilience, and honoring the families of the fallen,' the White House said in a news release. A fourth medal was made to be given to Bradshaw, in the event it is needed to honor another deputy in the future. 'I hope it never has to be given out, frankly,' Trump said. Mast introduced the Medal of Sacrifice Act earlier Monday. It creates a commission of 12 law enforcement officers, who are appointed by Trump, to determine eligibility for the medal and determine procedures for presenting the award. Trump told reporters they are 'looking at the possibility' of presenting other families whose loved ones died in the line of duty with the honor.
