A Florida sheriff expresses grief over the loss of a "really great" deputy who was killed during a traffic stop, followed by the death of the suspect.

An 11-year veteran of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office was Cpl. Elio Diaz.

A Florida sheriff expresses grief over the loss of a "really great" deputy who was killed during a traffic stop, followed by the death of the suspect.
A Florida sheriff expresses grief over the loss of a "really great" deputy who was killed during a traffic stop, followed by the death of the suspect.

On Sunday afternoon, a south Florida community is grieving the demise of a deputy who perished in the line of duty.

On Sunday afternoon, Sheriff Bill Prummell announced that Charlotte County Cpl. Elio Diaz was fatally shot during a traffic stop.

Diaz was making a stop on a white pickup truck at a Chevron gas station near the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor, according to Prummell.

Cpl Elio Diaz
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Cpl. Elio Diaz was shot and killed Sunday afternoon while conducting a traffic stop. (Charlotte County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

According to the sheriff, Andrew Mostyn Jr., a 24-year-old suspect, pulled out a rifle and shot Diaz during the stop. The deputy was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died.

A manhunt was launched after Mostyn fled the scene, and he was eventually found at a Popeyes on King's Highway in Punta Gorda.

Prummell was shot in the head by a deputy after he grabbed his rifle again, resulting in his death.

On Sunday night, local reporters observed that Prummell appeared distraught when he announced the death of the deputy.

Through tears, the sheriff said, 'He was a friend, a good family man, and a really great cop. He loved his children and will be greatly missed.'

Charlotte County deputy hat, thin blue line over badge
Cpl. Elio Diaz was an 11-year veteran of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. (Charlotte County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

Leaders also expressed their sympathies to the agency and Diaz's family following his death.

"A Charlotte County Sheriff's Deputy tragically lost his life, and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed her condolences on X. She urged people to pray for the CCSO, Sheriff Prummell, and the family of the fallen hero. The holiday season will be challenging for many who are mourning this loss."

A Charlotte County deputy passed away tonight, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., expressed his devastation on X by writing about it.

He wrote that he spoke with Sheriff Prummell to inform him that Ann and he were praying for his team and the deputy's family tonight. He requested that people keep them in their prayers.

Florida Sen Rick Scott
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)

Since 2013, Diaz has been a member of the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, and was recognized as the department's top law enforcement officer in the first quarter of November 2023, according to FOX 4 Now.

by Elizabeth Pritchett

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