Ralph “Butch” Waller, Jr.
Deputy Sheriff Butch Waller and Corporal Luis Paez were struck and killed, and Deputy Sheriff Dan Diaz was critically injured on Southern Boulevard near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road in Loxahatchee at 9:00 a.m.
One of the officers had completed a traffic stop when his patrol motorcycle would not start. The deputy called other officers for assistance. While the three officers 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 succumbed to his injuries four days later.
The driver suffered minor injuries.
Deputy Waller had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years.