On December 15, 2024, Sgt. Elio Diaz was killed in the line of duty while serving with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. His loss deeply affected the community he protected for more than a decade.

In the months since his passing, friends, family, colleagues, and community members have come together with a shared desire to create something lasting in his honor. With the blessing of the Diaz family, this memorial is envisioned as a quiet place of reflection – a space where people can pause, honor his sacrifice, and carry forward the values he lived by: service, courage, and care for others.

The memorial centers around a 74-foot walkway, symbolizing Sgt. Diaz’s final 74 minutes of service. In January 2025, we completed Phase 1 by planting more than 400 native trees with the Diaz family, CCSO colleagues, and the community. We now turn to Phase 2: constructing the memorial walkway, installing the engraved centerpiece featuring Sgt. Diaz’s words, completing the reflection pool, and finishing the infrastructure that will bring the full vision to life.

At the entrance to the Memorial Forest, visitors will be welcomed by a message Sgt. Diaz often shared with his eldest daughter: “Be a leader, not a follower.” This sets the tone for the path ahead, encouraging each person to walk with intention and integrity.

A subtle countdown embedded into the walkway guides visitors minute by minute through his final call, reflecting the patience, dignity, and compassion he showed as he assisted a man experiencing homelessness.

The path leads to a quiet reflection pool encircling a single fractured granite bench, deliberately set apart from the others – symbolizing how Sgt. Diaz was suddenly and violently separated from his family and community. The countdown ends at “0,” marking the moment his life was taken.

Inside the reflection pool, the final inscription reads: “In Memory of Sgt. Elio Diaz — Be of Service.” This call to action invites visitors to carry his spirit forward by choosing compassion and service in their daily lives. The memorial is meant not only to honor a life, but to inspire action.

Because this memorial is truly a community effort, our goal is to honor those who help bring it to life. Donors will have their names inscribed on the granite benches that line the memorial walkway, and they will also be featured on the memorial webpage. This project exists because of the strength, generosity, and unity of our community, and we want every supporter to be recognized as part of its foundation.

Sgt. Diaz spent his career serving and protecting others. By contributing to this memorial, you help create a space that honors that service and encourages every visitor to leave with a renewed commitment to doing good in their community. We will share updates and progress photos as each phase is completed. Thank you for helping bring this vision to life.

The fundraising goal shown on this page is a required placeholder to launch the campaign. The true project cost will be shared once contractor estimates are finalized. All funds raised (after standard transaction fees) will be used solely for the creation, installation, and ongoing care of the Diaz Memorial. Please note that Hope Eternal Gardens is a for-profit organization, and donations are not tax-deductible.

Thank you to those who supported Phase 1: Planting the Sgt. Diaz Memorial Forest

Memorial Design, Renderings & Project Management

Hope Eternal Gardens

Advisors

Diaz Family

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

Kellie Welch (Senior Public Safety Telecommunicator and Training Coordinator, North Port Police Department)

Trent Near (Corporal, North Port Police Department)

Maureen Brady

Jim Stump

Casey Gundlach

Native Plants

Earthbalance

Sandhill Native Growers

Natives of Corkscrew

Sebastian River Farms

Kings Nursery

Hope Eternal Gardens

Woodchips

Coastal Tree & Mowing

Sitework & Potting Soil

Desoto Sand and Fill

Event Food Truck

The Cuban Flavor

Event Music & Equipment

Daniel Candia

Charlotte Preparatory School

Event Portable Sanitation

Toi Toi USA

Event Donations

Ricci Family

Robie Family

Kellie Welch

Maureen Brady