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06-17-09, 11:10 AM
Police officer remembered after fatal crash - Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Channel 7 News Fox WSVN-TV (http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI123603/)
DORAL, Fla. (WSVN) -- Flags at the Miami-Dade Police Department are flying at half-staff as colleagues mourn and honor the passing of one of their own.
Miami-Dade Police Officer Giovanni Gonzalez died after his cruiser slammed into the rear of a dump truck early Tuesday morning. "This morning, a little bit after 4 a.m., our officer was traveling southbound on the Turnpike when he struck a dump truck. It was also traveling southbound on the Turnpike," said Miami-Dade Police Major Veronica Ferguson. "The officer's car came to rest about a quarter of a mile north of the 152nd Street exit."
The 23-year-old officer had worked out of the Kendall District for only a year and a half. Many will now miss the Coral Gables High School graduate and former baseball coach.
Neighbors said Gonzalez had dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, and he had received a scholarship to the University of Nebraska. But instead, they said, he decided to become a police officer and serve his community. Neighbors also said he had just bought a house and moved into it this weekend with his girlfriend.
Miami-Dade Police Director Robert Parker said the officer's death has left the family of the officer devastated. "It's a very tough situation," he said. "They are handling it as best as they can but a very difficult situation for the family."
Article ImageThe police department continues to investigate what lead to the crash and plans to hold a public memorial mass.
For now, Gonzalez is remembered as the famed United States Honor Flag, which flew over the devastated ruin of the World Trade Center after Sept. 11 and has flown for fallen first responders ever since, flies at Miami-Dade Police Headquarters in Doral.
The flag had just returned to Miami-Dade Police HQ, where it is kept, from Philadelphia. Little did the department know they would have to take it out so soon after its arrival.
R.I.P. Officer Gonzalez
My prayers go out to his family and friends.
DORAL, Fla. (WSVN) -- Flags at the Miami-Dade Police Department are flying at half-staff as colleagues mourn and honor the passing of one of their own.
Miami-Dade Police Officer Giovanni Gonzalez died after his cruiser slammed into the rear of a dump truck early Tuesday morning. "This morning, a little bit after 4 a.m., our officer was traveling southbound on the Turnpike when he struck a dump truck. It was also traveling southbound on the Turnpike," said Miami-Dade Police Major Veronica Ferguson. "The officer's car came to rest about a quarter of a mile north of the 152nd Street exit."
The 23-year-old officer had worked out of the Kendall District for only a year and a half. Many will now miss the Coral Gables High School graduate and former baseball coach.
Neighbors said Gonzalez had dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, and he had received a scholarship to the University of Nebraska. But instead, they said, he decided to become a police officer and serve his community. Neighbors also said he had just bought a house and moved into it this weekend with his girlfriend.
Miami-Dade Police Director Robert Parker said the officer's death has left the family of the officer devastated. "It's a very tough situation," he said. "They are handling it as best as they can but a very difficult situation for the family."
Article ImageThe police department continues to investigate what lead to the crash and plans to hold a public memorial mass.
For now, Gonzalez is remembered as the famed United States Honor Flag, which flew over the devastated ruin of the World Trade Center after Sept. 11 and has flown for fallen first responders ever since, flies at Miami-Dade Police Headquarters in Doral.
The flag had just returned to Miami-Dade Police HQ, where it is kept, from Philadelphia. Little did the department know they would have to take it out so soon after its arrival.
R.I.P. Officer Gonzalez
My prayers go out to his family and friends.