Varying law enforcement officers came together last Saturday at locations throughout Southwest Florida to help support the family of the late Sgt. Elio Diaz, of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

A group of about 40 off-duty officers, representing the Cape Coral Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Punta Gorda Police Department, and CCSO, collected donations to go to Diaz’ family at Publix and Walmart locations in Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and Babcock Ranch.

Diaz, 40 was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 15 in Charlotte Harbor after a traffic stop turned deadly. He was a law enforcement officer for more than 11 years, and is survived by his wife and four children.

CCPD Sgt. Charles Caruso played a major role in organizing the fundraiser with the goal to help lessen the financial burden for the Diaz family during this unbelievably trying time.

Caruso said the idea for last Saturday’s fundraiser was in the spirit of a similar event he was involved in that took place in 2008 following the death of Fort Myers Police Department Officer Andrew Whitman, who also was a father to young children.

“When I heard about Sgt. Diaz and his four kids, I just kind of got that idea and it started gaining momentum in my head, and I said, ‘This is something that needs to be done. But I’m going to need help,'” Caruso said.

Caruso, who is a 27-year law enforcement officer, said the tragedy hits close to home as he resides in Charlotte County, driving past the site where Diaz was killed at the Chevron gas station across from the Sunseeker Resort every day.

Caruso is a former PGPD officer as well.

“I was on a joint SWAT team with Charlotte County, and made a lot of friends that I’m still friends with today,” he said. “I’m still friends with a lot of those people. I was roommates with a (CCSO) deputy who is still there now, and he actually was very closely tied to Sgt. Diaz and the whole incident.

“I felt a sense of obligation to try and do something for his family.”

The off-duty officers were outside of Publix and Walmart from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with buckets that were adorned with stickers of Diaz and wearing T-shirts in his memory.

Caruso was at the Walmart on King’s Highway, and said the support from the public was overwhelming and appreciated.

“What stands out is the genuine nature of people’s sympathy and people’s grief,” he said. “It really puts things back in perspective. It’s easy to get jaded and to become skeptical and mistrusting. But, that event Saturday really gives you an idea of how much support we really have.”

Caruso said there were many stories told from those he interacted with — people who had family in law enforcement, or were closely tied to CCSO.

One person in particular really stood out.

“A woman came up, and she started talking, but really couldn’t. She started crying,” Caruso recalled. “It was just genuine tears. I gave her a hug. She was just saying how sorry she was and what a tragedy it is. And she has no connection to the Diaz family or law enforcement at all. She was just genuine.”

Caruso said the event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of community businesses.

Lowe’s donated 50 buckets for the officers to collect funds for the Diaz family. Brand 1 Ink in Cape Coral printed the stickers to put on the buckets free of charge, as well as the T-shirts.

“Publix and Walmart both, when I explained what we wanted to do, they were on board immediately and without hesitation,” Caruso said.

Caruso added he had a partner with the Fort Myers Police Department who helped him get in touch with some of the businesses that assisted with the event.

While he felt it was necessary to put on the event, it was also heartbreaking and something Caruso wished wasn’t necessary.

“It’s a horrible reason,” he said. “I absolutely hate why we had to do this. But, I’m proud of what everyone that helped did. Everybody stepped up and jumped in and helped put something together in a short period of time.”

“But I’m honored to do this, and I hope that we are able to help the family in some way.”

All along in the process, Caruso has been in contact with a close friend who is a lieutenant at CCSO, serving as the conduit to the Diaz family from the start.

He said the coming together of law enforcement agencies in this tragedy only reaffirms the comradeship of being a law enforcement officer.

“It reinforces what we already know,” Caruso said. “It reminds me of how big our family really is. A takeaway is that, God forbid, if that were me, if I were killed in the line of duty, I know that at least my family is going to be taken care of because of my brothers and sisters.”

Caruso said officers will be out at Babcock Ranch during an upcoming Food Truck Friday to accept donations for the Diaz family.

A GoFundMe has also been organized by the Diaz family. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/n3ev9-a-heros-legacy.