Bald Eagles Visit the Sgt. Diaz Memorial Site
- lauren32286
- Dec 10, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
An Unexpected Visit
In the days leading up to the planting for the Sgt. Elio Diaz Memorial, our team was preparing the land – laying out the walkway, staging trees, and getting everything organized for the families and officers who would soon gather. While we were working, two bald eagles appeared over the memorial site.
They circled above us, and then one of them flew down and landed directly on the ground where the memorial walkway would eventually be located. It caught everyone by surprise. Seeing an eagle at all is rare; seeing one land in the exact center of the future memorial felt meaningful in a way that stayed with us throughout the day.
For many law enforcement families, bald eagles carry a strong symbolic presence. They’re tied to qualities like vigilance, strength, and steady leadership. To have an eagle land on the site honoring Sgt. Diaz felt aligned with the spirit of service he embodied. It was a moment that reflected the kind of protector he was, both on duty and at home.
For those grieving someone who spent his life looking out for others, the sight of a pair of eagles – and one stepping into the heart of the memorial space – can feel like a reminder that watchfulness and courage continue, even in the midst of loss.
By the time the Diaz family, CCSO colleagues, and volunteers arrived to plant more than 400 native trees, that eagle sighting had already become part of the story of the memorial. The eagles appeared only once, but the moment left an impression on everyone who witnessed it.
Eagles often return to the same territory year after year. Knowing that, we can’t help but hope they’ll come back again – maybe next time to see the memorial forest another year taller.
About the Memorial
The Sgt. Elio Diaz Memorial is being created to honor the 74 minutes he spent helping a man experiencing homelessness on December 15, 2024. Those minutes, defined by patience and compassion, inspired the design of a 74-foot walkway, with each foot representing one minute of the service he gave that day.
At the end of the walkway, the path opens into a memorial forest and a future reflection area where visitors can pause, remember, and carry forward his message: Be of Service.
In January, with the Diaz family, CCSO colleagues, friends, and volunteers, we completed Phase 1 of the memorial by planting more than 400 native trees. This young forest now frames the future walkway and will grow into a living tribute shaped by the community.
Where We Are Now
– Phase 1 (Forest Planting) is complete, with over 400 native trees planted.
– The walkway location is set
– Opening remarks from the Diaz family, along with photos and updates, have been added to the memorial webpage.
– Phase 2 fundraising has begun to build the 74-foot walkway and reflection area.
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.
