Ralph Waller, Luis Paez Obituary, Death: ‘Devastated’: Authorities Identify Motor Deputies Killed in Southern Boulevard Crash
Ralph Waller, Luis Paez Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified two motor deputies killed in a crash Thursday morning in western Palm Beach County. The tragic incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, where three deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) were conducting traffic enforcement.
According to officials, the deputies were off the roadway and waiting for battery cables with their marked PBSO motorcycles when a woman driving an SUV attempted to pass a slower-moving vehicle. In the process, she allegedly overcompensated, causing her SUV to veer into the deputies, striking them and sending all three airborne.
The two deputies who lost their lives in the incident were Corporal Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller. Both were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead. A third deputy, Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, was also struck and was rushed to the hospital for surgery. Diaz is currently in critical condition, though he is stable and fighting for his life.
In the wake of the devastating crash, a procession was held to honor the fallen deputies and show support for their families, colleagues, and the entire Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The tragic event has left the community in mourning as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
