The Palm Beach Fallen Officers Foundation rallied to raise over $5,000 in support for the families of the three fallen Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies who were slain in a crash in their line of duty that occurred on Southern Boulevard in November.
An SUZ slammed into Deputy Butch Waller, Cpl. Luis Paez and Deputy Dan Diaz of the sheriff’s office motor unit in western Palm Beach County. They were waiting for battery cables at the time. The foundation held a benefit at West Palm Beach on Saturday, with over 150 people in attendance.
Tommy Torres, president of the Palm Beach Fallen Officers Foundation and the Palm Beach chapter of the St. Legione Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, said, as reported by 25WPBF:
"The goal of the organization is to provide some kind of comfort. And get you not to work so hard so you can grieve for a little bit."
Palm Beach Fallen Officers Foundation pledges to help make the families of the fallen deputies' lives easier: Read more
In speaking to the outlet, Torres said that he was very familiar with the officers lost, referring to their demise as a "devastating loss for us." He revealed that the foundation has held several fundraisers for officers injured, though this was the first time for the families of officers who died.
"We can give them just a moment of ‘Hey, you don't have to work that detail.’ We'll give you a little bit of extra cash so you can take time to heal," Torres said. "Maybe buy your groceries for the month or something."
At the event, law enforcement, first responders, and active and former officials got a chance to share personal anecdotes about their love of bikes, food, and more. Torres told another outlet, WPTV:
"They were pillars in the community and for something like this to happen—the tragedy it affects all of us."
The nonprofit started as a law enforcement motorcycle club in 2019, though the Fallen Officers Foundation started just this year to raise as much funds to support the families of those who lost their lives. Alex Young, former law enforcement officer and member of St. Michael's Legione said to the outlet:
"We’re going to do everything we can in our power to make sure that their family and everything we can do to honor them is taken care of."
As for just how much has been raised in total, here's what John Kazanjian, president of the County Police Benevolent Association, said:
"So far, we've given ... every family member $77,000 [from the PBA Charity Fund]. "They've lost the soul provider of each household," Kazanjian said. "They're going to be in dire need of financial help and any type of other help that we can get to them."
Trending
Bolay Kitchen will be hosting another fundraising event from December 13 to 16, and a portion of the funds raised will be bequeathed to the families of the deputies who lost their lives last month.
Reply
