PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. – There were heavy hearts and profound sadness Tuesday morning as family members, friends, fellow deputies, fire rescue, first responders, and the community came together to remember three deputies who were killed in a tragic accident in Palm Beach County.
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Funeral services, held only for family members, began in the morning at the Palms West Funeral Home, followed by a police procession to the iTHINK Financial Amphitheater.
According to WPTV, over 7,000 people were expected to attend the memorial service. Among those in attendance are President-elect Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
Krawl’n For The Fallen, Christine Johnson, Event Coordinator, left her home last night to attend the memorial service of the three sheriff deputies killed in the line of duty. Her role is to support the survivors of the families.
“This is a tough time for everyone, especially for the families, and knowing the biggest thing is that they’ve got a huge support system out there with someone to talk to. Losing someone is hard, and not knowing where to turn next. That’s where we came in. To support the families, give them the guidance and support. We direct them to all the organizations to help them financially and with counseling,” Johnson said. “The money our organization raises goes to Concerns of Police Survivors, an organization that provides counseling and support for police survivors and organizes National Police Week.”
Krawl’n For The Fallen is a dedicated organization to aiding the families of fallen or injured First Respondents and raising awareness, honor, and remembering Officers & K9s lost in the line of duty—Off Road United.
The organization has been in operation for over 10 years.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the deputies were standing on the shoulder of Southern Boulevard, just west of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 21, when a Pennsylvania woman, born in 1993, driving a Jeep SUV, came up to a “slower vehicle” in front of her and “abruptly” veered toward the shoulder, striking the deputies.
Two motorcycle sheriff deputies died of their injuries at the hospital, and the third sheriff deputy was in critical condition at the hospital and eventually died on Nov. 25.
The driver has not yet been charged, as the investigation is still ongoing, FHP said.
According to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, 118 police officers died in 2023.
Law enforcement agencies are asking that instead of donating flowers, they donate to the families of fallen deputies. To donate, click here.