Trump Awards First-Ever Medals of Sacrifice to Fallen Palm Beach County Deputies

BOCA
RATON,
Fla.,
May
20,
2025
—
In
a
solemn
ceremony
at
the
White
House,
former
President
Donald
J.
Trump
awarded
the
first-ever
Medals
of
Sacrifice
to
three
fallen
deputies
from
the
Palm
Beach
County
Sheriff’s
Office,
marking
the
introduction
of
a
national
honor
created
to
recognize
first
responders
who
lose
their
lives
in
the
line
of
duty.

The
recipients—Corporal
Luis
Paez
Jr.,
Deputy
Sheriff
Ralph
“Butch”
Waller
Jr.,
and
Deputy
Sheriff
Ignacio
“Dan”
Diaz—were
killed
on
November
21,
2024,
while
assisting
with
a
disabled
patrol
motorcycle
on
Southern
Boulevard
in
Loxahatchee,
Fla.
An
SUV
veered
off
the
road,
fatally
striking
the
deputies.
Corporal
Paez
and
Deputy
Waller
died
at
the
scene.
Deputy
Diaz
succumbed
to
his
injuries
four
days
later.

The
Medals
of
Sacrifice
were
presented
in
the
Oval
Office,
with
the
deputies’
families
in
attendance,
alongside
Florida
Representatives
Brian
Mast
and
Byron
Donalds.
The
medals,
crafted
by
Tiffany
&
Co.,
are
intended
to
symbolize
the
highest
level
of
national
gratitude
for
public
servants
who
give
their
lives
protecting
others.

“This
is
one
of
the
greatest
honors
we
can
bestow
as
a
nation,”
Mr.
Trump
said
during
the
ceremony.
“These
men
were
beloved
by
their
colleagues,
their
families,
and
their
communities.
Their
sacrifice
will
never
be
forgotten.”

The
creation
of
the
Medals
of
Sacrifice
was
made
possible
through
legislation
introduced
by
Rep.
Brian
Mast
(R-Fla.),
who
emphasized
the
importance
of
giving
law
enforcement
officers
the
recognition
they
deserve.
“These
heroes
gave
everything
in
service
to
others.
It’s
only
right
our
nation
gives
back
with
honor,”
said
Rep.
Mast.

Family
members
of
the
fallen
deputies
expressed
deep
appreciation
for
the
recognition.
“This
medal
will
never
bring
my
son
back,”
said
Maria
Paez,
mother
of
Corporal
Luis
Paez
Jr.,
“but
knowing
that
his
sacrifice
is
remembered
and
honored
at
the
highest
level
of
our
government
brings
us
comfort.”

The
tragic
incident,
which
occurred
while
the
deputies
were
standing
on
the
shoulder
of
a
busy
highway,
shook
the
South
Florida
law
enforcement
community
and
sparked
a
wave
of
public
mourning
and
support
across
Palm
Beach
County.
The
introduction
of
this
national
honor
sets
a
precedent
for
how
the
United
States
may
continue
to
recognize
first
responders
who
make
the
ultimate
sacrifice.

In
remembering
Deputies
Paez,
Waller,
and
Diaz,
the
nation
not
only
grieves
their
loss
but
also
upholds
their
legacy—a
legacy
now
etched
into
history
through
the
Medals
of
Sacrifice.