By Sarah Roebuck
Police1
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Two deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office were killed and one is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle, the Palm Beach Post reports.
The incident happened Nov. 21 when an SUV attempted to avoid hitting a stopped vehicle, causing the SUV to swerve and travel into a grassy area where the deputies were stationed, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.
The three motorcycle deputies were on the side of the road preparing to jump-start a stalled motorcycle, according to the report.
“I tell people all the time, you know, law enforcement, public safety and the military are the only professions when you leave the house and kiss your family goodbye, that might be the last time. And here’s the example of it,” Bradshaw said.
The sheriff’s office has not yet released the names of the deputies, but during a news conference, Bradshaw shared that the two who lost their lives had served with PBSO for 36 and 18 years, while the injured deputy has been with the agency for 20 years.
“When a deputy dies, a piece of the community dies with them. It’s tough,” Bradshaw said.
The driver of the SUV did not appear to be impaired. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is investigating in along with the Florida Highway Patrol.