Hero of the Week: 9 Year Old Boy raises money for fallen deputy’s family

 This week's hero is a little boy who knew enough to try and help a family in need after the tragic loss of their father. Here's the story.

(Photo: Charlie Allsup, 9, wanted to help the family of Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz. Credit: WPTV-TV)

Boy, 9, driven to help fallen deputy’s family raises money with lemonade stand

WPTV-TV, Palm Beach County, Florida, Dec .6, 2024

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (WPTV) - After a devastating crash that killed three Florida deputies, a 9-year-old boy is offering his support by raising money with a lemonade and cookie stand.

Charlie Allsup, 9, wanted to help the family of Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, who was one of three motorcycle deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office killed Nov. 21 when they were struck by a Jeep SUV while stopped on the road’s shoulder.

Diaz, who died of his injuries last Monday, joined the sheriff’s office in 2004 and had been with the agency’s motor unit for more than 10 years. A friend described him as a loving, joyful person who was passionate about helping others.

“He put up a hell of a fight, but the injuries were so catastrophic that there was no way he was going to make it,” Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.

Charlie says Diaz’s son goes to the same daycare as his little sister, so he set up a lemonade and cookie stand to raise tuition money for the family.

“He asked me if there was a way we could raise money to try to help the family, and we came up with the idea to have a lemonade and cookie stand,” said Charlie’s mother, Christina Allsup. “We’re trying to pay off as much of their tuition as possible so that they have one less thing to worry about during this difficult time.”

So far, Charlie has raised enough for at least four or five months of tuition along with electronics they plan to donate to Diaz’s family.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday for Diaz and the other two deputies – Deputy Sheriff Ralph “Butch” Waller and Cpl. Luis Paez – killed in the crash. Thousands are expected to attend.

Waller served with distinction for over 18 years in the sheriff’s office’s motor unit, having started his law enforcement career with the Royal Palm Beach Police Department.

Paez was a law enforcement officer for over 36 years, starting his career with the sheriff’s office in 1988 as a corrections deputy before serving as a motor deputy for more than 20 years.

The sheriff’s office says that, in lieu of flowers, the public is asked to consider making a donation to the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association Fund to support the families of fallen deputies.

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