The Florida Highway Patrol is mourning the loss of one of its own this week following the untimely death of Trooper Michael Diego. Diego passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, after suffering a medical emergency during a training exercise at the FHP Training Academy.
He was surrounded by his family and fellow troopers at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital when he died.
The incident occurred while Diego was participating in a competitive selection process for the agency’s Criminal Interdiction Unit. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts from fellow troopers on the scene, followed by the work of EMS responders, flight medics from Survival Flight, and staff at both Gadsden and Tallahassee Memorial Hospitals, Diego could not be revived.
Diego’s career with the Florida Highway Patrol began in 2021 as a member of the 149th Recruit Class. Over the course of four years, he served the residents of Florida through assignments in Fort Pierce and Fort Myers. Those who worked alongside him described a dedicated public servant who spent his career focused on the safety of the state’s roadways.
Executive Director Dave Kerner and Colonel Gary Howze issued a joint statement expressing the agency’s collective grief. They noted that Diego lived his life in service to others and extended their gratitude to the medical teams who fought to save him. The agency’s leadership emphasized that the entire FHP family is standing behind Diego’s mother, sister, and fiancé during this difficult time.
The loss has sent ripples through the law enforcement community across the state. As the Florida Highway Patrol navigates the days ahead, the focus remains on honoring Diego’s four years of service and providing support to the loved ones he left behind.
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