PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Drivers in Royal Palm Beach, the Acreage, Loxahatchee and Wellington should expect significant delays and some road closures Tuesday for the memorial procession for three Palm Beach County deputies who were killed in a devastating crash last month.
A public memorial for Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, and Corporal Luis Paez will take place at iTHINK Financial Amphitheater on Sansbury Way. The service is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and is expected to end at approximately 2 p.m.
Drivers are urged to avoid the following areas or expect heavy delays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.:
- Eastbound Okeechobee Boulevard between Crestwood Boulevard and State Road 7 (8 a.m. - noon)
- State Road 7 between Southern Boulevard and Okeechobee Boulevard (8 a.m. - noon)
- Westbound Southern Boulevard west of Florida's Turnpike (8 a.m. - noon)
- Eastbound Southern Boulevard, Northlake Boulevard and the State Road 7 extension may experience significant delays
Drivers who need an alternate route in these western communities can consider the following:
- Use Northlake Boulevard for eastbound travel out of the western communities, or the State Road 7 extension to access Okeechobee Boulevard eastbound
- From southbound Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, travel west on Okeechobee Boulevard, then south on Crestwood Boulevard to Southern Boulevard eastbound
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said the public is welcome to pay their respects to the fallen deputies by lining the procession route.
The following are suggested viewing areas:
- Okeechobee Boulevard (State Road 7 west to Crestwood Boulevard)
- Crestwood Boulevard (Okeechobee Boulevard south to Southern Boulevard)
The procession will depart the Palms West Funeral Home at approximately 9:30 a.m. Participation in the procession is restricted to family members of the fallen deputies and PBSO personnel only.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said that, in lieu of flowers, the public is asked to consider making a donation to the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association Fund to support the families of fallen deputies by clicking here.
Diaz, Waller and Paez were killed when a driver ran into them on Southern Boulevard near Lion Country Safari on Nov. 21.
Read more of WPTV's coverage of the tragedy below:
Region C Palm Beach County
How a 9-year-old boy is helping the family of a fallen deputy
Region C Palm Beach County
TRAGIC: 3rd Palm Beach Co. deputy passes away after devastating wreck
Palm Beach County
'Heart is breaking': Community honors PBSO deputies with vigil
Palm Beach County
'They have us as a community': Fallen deputies honored with candlelit walk
Region C Palm Beach County
PBSO identifies deputies killed, injured in 'horrific accident'
Region C Palm Beach County
EMOTIONAL: Hundreds of law enforcement officers pay respects to fallen deputies
Region C Palm Beach County
