A south Florida community is mourning the loss of a deputy who was killed in the line of duty Sunday afternoon.
During a traffic stop on Sunday afternoon, Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was tragically shot and killed according to Sheriff Bill Prummell in a news conference.
Although details are scarce, it was revealed that Diaz was conducting the stop on a white pickup truck at a Chevron gas station near the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor.
Prummell was visibly upset when confirming the deputy’s death to local reporters Sunday night.
“[He] was a friend. A good family man. He loved his children and he was a really great cop. He’s going to be missed,” the sheriff said through tears.
Cpl. Elio Diaz was an 11-year veteran of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. (Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
State leaders also reacted to Diaz’s death, offering prayers and condolences to the agency and the deputy’s loved ones.
In response to the unfortunate incident, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed her condolences, urging people to keep the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Prummell, and the fallen officer’s family in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate through a challenging holiday season following this devastating loss.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also posted to X, writing that he was “devastated to hear of the passing of a Charlotte County deputy tonight.”
“I spoke with @CCSOFLSheriff Prummell to let him know Ann and I are praying for his team and the deputy’s family tonight. Please keep them in your prayers,” he wrote.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., was among state leaders who offered condolences to the loved ones of Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz, who was killed in the line of duty on Sunday. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Diaz had served with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office since 2013, according to local outlet FOX 4 Now, and was chosen as the department’s law enforcement member of the first quarter in November 2023.
