WATCH WPTV'S SPECIAL COVERAGE STARTING AT ABOUT 9:30 A.M. BELOW:
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 procession is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. and is expected to end at about 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)
Many like Jacob Mendoza, a South Florida snowbird, plan to honor the fallen deputies.
"Oh absolutely," Mendoza said. "It's the least we can do to show up and show our support. I think it would go a long way to know that the losses weren’t for absolutely nothing and hopefully it's a signal for change to come."
The procession will depart the Palms West Funeral Home at about 9:30 a.m. Participation in the procession is restricted to family members of the fallen deputies and PBSO personnel only. While the service at the Amphitheater is public. open to the
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.
Traffic was backed up for miles on the day of the crash. Drivers tell WPTV reporter Michael Hoffman that they're preparing for similar roadblocks. For biker and commuter Jon-Michael Myers it's frustrating but understandable.
"No, not [concerned about the traffic] at all. They deserve it," Myers said. "That's the least you can do, take your time for them."
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
