Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, Jr.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Florida

EOW: Nov. 21, 2024 | Age: 54 | Tour: 18 Years

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.

Honoring

Corporal Luis Paez

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Florida

EOW: Nov. 21, 2024 | Age: 58 | Tour: 36 Years

Corporal Luis Paez and Deputy Sheriff Butch Waller 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. Corporal Paez and Deputy Waller were life-flighted to St. Mary's Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. Deputy Diaz died from his injuries four days later. The driver suffered minor injuries. Corporal Paez had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for 36 years and served as a motor officer for over 20 years.

Honoring

Deputy Constable Katherine Hutson

Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 5, Texas

EOW: Nov. 22, 2024 | Age: 48 | Tour: 18 Years

Deputy Constable Katherine Hutson and her young daughter were killed when her patrol car was struck by a drunk driver on I-10 between Washington Avenue and I-610 at about 3:20 am. She was providing traffic control for a road construction convoy when a vehicle operated by a drunk driver struck her patrol car from behind as it was parked on the shoulder. The patrol car became engulfed in flames. The vehicle also collided with a Texas Department of Transportation truck which also became engulfed in flames. Deputy Hutson and her daughter were both killed. She had her daughter with her because she was a single parent. The driver of the vehicle that caused the crash was charged with intoxication manslaughter and intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer. Deputy Hutson had served with the Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 5 for 18 years and was assigned to the Civil Division. She is survived by her son and parents.

Honoring

Firefighter Johnny Goines

Verona Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina

EOW: Nov. 22, 2024 | Age: 69 | Tour: None

The Verona Volunteer Fire Department is mourning the loss of a firefighter who died after responding to a call Friday night. Johnny Goines, 69, responded to a motor vehicle accident around 10:45 p.m. with the fire department. Onslow County officials told WITN.com that another call came in about 11:05 p.m. for a car off the road and into a ditch. Firefighters from Verona Volunteer Fire Department responded, along with Onslow County Emergency Medical Services and they found Goines unresponsive in the vehicle. Goines joined the Verona Volunteer Fire Department in 1975 and was a fixture at all events. “Johnny was dedicated to his fire department and to the Verona community. He was always quick to lend a hand and he brought a sense of joy and comradery to our department that will be sorely missed," Chief Toby Thomas said in a statement. "He operated a landscaping business and even took care of some of our elderly residents’ yards for free because that’s the kind of guy he was.” Visitation will be held Nov. 27, from 1 - 2 p.m. at Verona Baptist Church. The funeral begins at 2 p.m.

Honoring

Battalion Chief John Walsh

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, Pennsylvania

EOW: Nov. 20, 2024 | Age: 60 | Tour: None

On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Battalion Chief John Walsh was in command of a house fire when he collapsed. He was immediately transported to the hospital where he passed away. The cause of his death has yet to be determined.