Our condolences to the Vazquez family and the Palm Beach County
Fire Rescue Department of Florida. Lieutenant Raphael Vazquez, 42,
a veteran of the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Department, died
Monday February 3, 2008. Raphael was attending a class on 'Strategy
and Tactics' after recently being promoted to Lieutenant. He had
met his family at a Wendy's restaurant when the class broke for
lunch. He was shot at point blank range in the the back as stood
at the counter waiting to exchange his sons toy. The gunman wounded
four other people before turning the gun on himself in the seemingly
random attack.
Prior to serving with Palm Beach County, Raphael was a paramedic for
Lake Park and American Medical Response. In 1996 he was named
the Paramedic of the Year.
Our brother Raphael leaves behind his wife Michele, his son Adrian,
and four other children. Funeral arrangements will be posted when it
is released. A memorial fund has been established and donations can
be sent to:
