Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz

Ignacio "Dan" Diaz

Deputy Sheriff Dan Diaz succumbed to injuries he received when he, Sergeant Luis Paez, and Deputy Sheriff Waller were struck by a vehicle on Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee at 9:00 a.m. on November 21, 2024.

One of the officers had completed a traffic stop when his patrol motorcycle would not start. The deputy called other officers for assistance. While Deputy Diaz, Deputy Waller, and Corporal Paez were waiting for another officer to help with the disabled motorcycle, a driver traveling east on Southern Boulevard switched lanes to pass a slower vehicle, overcompensated, and struck all three officers. The responding officer witnessed the collision.

Deputy Waller and Corporal Paez were life-flighted to St. Mary's Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Deputy Diaz passed away four days later.

The driver suffered minor injuries.

Deputy Diaz had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for over 10 years.