Donald Trump started this week with a solemn Oval Office ceremony to recognize the service and sacrifice of three law enforcement officers (LEOs) who were killed in the line of duty last November.
The families of Corporal Luis Paez Jr., Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller Jr., and Deputy Sheriff Ignacio “Dan” Diaz of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office were presented the posthumous Medals of Sacrifice, the first of these Medals. President Trump’s Florida residence is in Palm Beach County, so the loss was close to home.
The three officers were killed when stopped on the side of the road and struck by an SUV. A fourth officer witnessed the collision and the deaths of his friends.
Corporal Paez was 58 years old, in his 36th year as an LEO, and is remembered as a “devoted family man.” Deputy Diaz was 51 years old, in his 20th year as an LEO, and “remembered as a caring and devoted father, partner, and lover of animals.” Deputy Waller was 54 years old, in his 18th year as an LEO, and was known for his “charm, wit, and an infectious smile.”
As our longtime readers know, The Patriot Post has an End of Watch page with individual tribute images for all law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. While we have published military Profiles of Valor tributes for many years, we also regularly acknowledge the valorous actions of LEOs and other first responders who have died in the service of others.
Having graduated from a state police academy at age 19 and served as a uniformed LEO during my college years, I have a long kinship with those on the Blue Line defending Americans.
The disgraceful Biden/Harris effort to blame police for the racial violence of their constituents was and remains inexcusable. That coincided with their Defund Police movement to placate their so-called “Black Lives Matter” radicals.
The result was a surge in violence and a severe police recruitment, retention, and morale crisis. And Kamala Harris was still lying about that crime surge in the weeks ahead of last year’s election.
In his Medals of Sacrifice presentation remarks, President Trump said: “Today, we also remember three remarkable heroes who will become the medal’s first-ever recipients. It’s a big honor. This was a terrible tragedy, shook the entire Palm Beach community like very, very few events I’ve ever seen. All of Florida mourned their loss, and today, our entire nation joins in honoring these three incredible patriots taken from us. Much too soon, much, much too soon. … They were really close friends and colleagues, and together they dedicated their lives to protecting the people of Palm Beach County and well beyond. And they were beloved by everyone and responded by all, really, really top of the line people.”
Flanked by the LEOs’ families and Florida Reps. Brian Mast and Byron Donalds, President Trump concluded: “We’ll never forget their legacy, and we’ll never forget the debt we owe all of these great law enforcement heroes who have given their lives to keep our communities safe and make America strong again.”
We applaud President Trump for the national recognition of these LEOs. On the day of the Medals presentation, Rep. Mast introduced a congressional bill to authorize the president to bestow Medals to law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty.
Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate — 1776
