Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Saturday, October 8, 2005
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 16 years, 6 months
Badge Number: 343
Cause of Death: Fall
Date of Incident: October 8, 2005
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
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. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.