Hundreds gathered at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home tonight to honor the life and legacy of Sgt. Elio Diaz, a beloved member of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office who paid the ultimate price protecting his community.
Among those attending was Allen Chamberlin, a former motor sergeant with the U.S. Army in Europe, who didn’t personally know Sgt. Diaz but felt compelled to attend.
"Because I support the police, and it breaks my heart," Chamberlin said. “It hurts me when I see this happen."
Newly released surveillance footage sheds light on the heartbreaking sequence of events.
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell recounted how Sgt. Diaz stopped Andrew Mostyn at a Chevron gas station in Charlotte Harbor for driving without insurance. In an act of kindness, Diaz spent an hour attempting to help Mostyn reinstate his insurance.
But the situation escalated tragically when Mostyn retrieved a rifle from his truck and opened fire, striking Diaz multiple times.
"As Elio fell, he took a couple more steps forward and fired at him while he lay on the ground, " Sheriff Prummell shared.
Mostyn attempted to take off with his pickup truck but was intercepted by deputies 15 minutes later at a Popeye’s restaurant. CCSO said he had changed his license plate and donned a bulletproof vest. When Mostyn reached for the same rifle used in the attack, a deputy stopped him with a single, decisive shot.
"The shooter, in this case, was prepared and ready for a fight," Prummell said. "And with a single shot, Andrea stopped what could have been a potential bloodbath. In my book, she's a frickin’ hero."
Sgt. Diaz dedicated 11 years to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a legacy now etched into the hearts of the community he served.
Tomorrow, the community will bid its final farewell with a funeral and procession. NBC-2 will provide full coverage of the events.