SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Fort Lauderdale officers bid their final farewell to one of their own, and loved ones have gathered to pay their respects to a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, days after both of them lost their lives to COVID-19.
Officer Jennifer Sepot, 27, was remembered by her family, friends, and co-workers from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department at a church in Margate. Cameras showed a casket draped with the U.S. flag as it passed by mourners, many of them in uniform.
“She was known as a 100% kind of person where second best was just not acceptable,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Senior Chaplain Ron Perkins. “She’ll be missed, and she will never be forgotten.”
“Because of Jen, I’m a better version of me and a better father,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Sgt. Jared Gross. “Let her short time with us not be measured in years and in months, but by the acts of kindness she did for so many people.”
Hours later, a Mass was held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Doral for Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Lazaro Febles.
“Today you take the final 10-42, because you have arrived at your new home,” said his widow as she addressed mourners. “You will always be part of the FHP family.”
Sepot joined the police department in April of 2017 and was assigned to the road patrol division.
She leaves behind a husband and a 3-year-old daughter.
“Over the past 18 months, COVID has made a devastating impact at home and abroad. We have seen the pain and suffering that has affected first responders across the country,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Larry Scirotto.
Gross broke down in tears as he expressed his gratitude toward Sepot.
“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life. Take care, friend,” he said.
Febles, who died Saturday of COVID complications at age 42, will also be buried on Friday. A funeral procession took his body to Woodlawn Park Cemetery in Southwest Miami-Dade, where a burial service is taking place.
Febles worked with the Florida Highway Patrol in the Miami area for 11 years.
Speaking during the Mass, his widow said she is holding on to sweet memories of their time together.
“You’ll always be my husband, my guardian, my love,” she said. “We will love life the way you taught us, and every time we need an advice, we’ll close our eyes and open our hearts.”
Sepot and Febles are two of three South Florida officers who recently lost their battles with COVID-19.
Miami Beach Police Officer Edward “Eddie” Perez, a 25-year veteran, died on Thursday. He leaves behind a wife and daughter.
Perez’s funeral arrangements have not been announced.
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