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Incident
Patrolman Jose Diaz was killed after falling from a highway overpass, on I-95 near the interchange with I-595, while assisting other officers perform a felony traffic stop of a suspected police impersonator.
Because of the darkness, the area between the two highways appeared to have a solid surface. Patrolman Diaz attempted to take cover on the other side of the overpass barrier and jumped over it. He fell and landed on the ground, approximately 110-feet below. He was transported to Broward General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
The driver of the vehicle that had been pulled over was a private investigator and, upon investigation, was determined to have not committed any crime.
Patrolman Diaz had served with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for 2-1/2 years and had previously served with the New York City Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Diaz gave the Fort Lauderdale Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Lauderdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Diaz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fort Lauderdale Police Department has lost 13 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Jose is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Jose is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jose is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2005, 1 officer at Fort Lauderdale Police Department was lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 2.
In 2005, 2 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 56th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 2005, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2005, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Jose was 37. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Fort Lauderdale Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 46; the middle age was 43. Jose had served 16.5 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Jose was 37. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Jose had served 16.5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Jose was 37. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Jose had served 16.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jose was 37. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Jose had served 16.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 22.2% of these deaths at Fort Lauderdale Police Department; August holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 22.2%.
October holds 9.9% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 69.2% of all 13 deaths at Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Fort Lauderdale Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Jose among them.
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R. Dwight Johnston
Apr 5, 1947
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Donald E. Kirby, Jr.
Oct 9, 1968
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Walter Demitrie Ilyankoff
Jul 21, 1974
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Gregory John Conners
Nov 12, 1977
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John C. Alexander
Aug 3, 1981
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Kenneth Petersen
Aug 3, 1981
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Charles E. Bruce
Aug 24, 1983
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Norman Lewis Eddy, Jr.
May 25, 1989
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Frank Anthony Mastrangelo, Jr.
May 25, 1989
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David L. Brower
Dec 29, 1994
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Bryant Howard Peney
Jan 6, 1996
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Jose Antonio Diaz
Oct 8, 2005
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Jennifer B. Sepot
Aug 14, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Fort Lauderdale Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
