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17h ago

President Trump Awards First Medals of Sacrifice to Families of Fallen Palm Beach Deputies

The new White House honor recognizes first responders killed in the line of duty, with legislation introduced to formalize the award process.

Trump Awards First-Ever Medals of Sacrifice
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Cameron Paez received the first-ever Medal of Sacrifice from President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday, May 19, 2025, to honor his father, Cpl. Luis Paez, who was killed in the line of duty in November 2024. (The White House/Courtesy)

Overview

  • President Donald Trump presented the inaugural Medals of Sacrifice to the families of three Palm Beach County deputies killed in a November 2024 crash.
  • The deputies—Cpl. Luis Paez Jr., Deputy Ralph 'Butch' Waller Jr., and Deputy Ignacio 'Dan' Diaz—were struck by an SUV while assisting with a disabled patrol motorcycle.
  • The medals, designed by Tiffany & Co. under the Arnault family's guidance, feature oak leaves and the inscription 'sacrifice' to symbolize resilience and honor.
  • U.S. Rep. Brian Mast introduced the Medal of Sacrifice Act to establish a permanent commission to oversee future awards and eligibility criteria.
  • The deputies had previously served in presidential motorcades, and their deaths inspired the creation of this new national recognition for fallen first responders.