By Angie DiMichele
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — 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.
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