Law enforcement, community turn out to remember Cesar Echaverry with procession

MIAMI (WSVN) - Local law enforcement and the rest of the community turned out to pay their respects to Cesar Echaverry as a procession transported his body from the hospital to the Medical Examiner’s office.

Friday night, the Freedom Tower was lit up in blue in his memory.

Earlier that morning, officers slowly placed a casket draped with the American flag into an ambulance. At that exact moment, a white bird flew above.

“Our service, the dangers are real,” said North Bay Village Deputy Chief Samuel Bejar. “They’re always present. They can happen at any moment, but it’s something that all the brave men and woman accept and take as part of their commitment to the community.”

7SkyForce captured video footage of a line of police cruisers gathering in preparation for the memorial.

Several different law enforcement agencies participated when the procession began at 10 a.m. near Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Critical Care Center and journeyed to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office.

People and officers along the sidewalk saluted the ambulance that carried the deceased detective.

Officers escorted him the entire time; his family was right beside him, too.

On Monday morning, Echaverry was transported in critical condition by fellow police after a shootout broke out when officers pursued an armed robbery suspect.

Though he was immediately rushed to the hospital, the officer died two days later.

On Friday, at the Northside Miami-Dade Police substation, Echaverry’s police cruiser was decorated with balloons, badges and flowers to honor him.

Some MDPD officers wore a special badge in his honor with his badge number, and they will wear it until he is laid to rest.

Members of his own team passed by the memorial to pay their respects. It has been an especially difficult day for them.

Officers representing different law enforcement agencies across South Florida visited the memorial for the officer.

“What happens to one of us, happens to us all,” said Bejar, who stopped by to pay his respects. “Our fellow law enforcement partner and brother fell in the line of duty, and that impacts all of us equally.”

Indeed, the law enforcement community has been here before. Line of duty deaths happen. They know it, and they courageously sign up knowing the risk, but being here, watching Officer Echaverry’s body being escorted, never gets easier.

Officer Echaverry was born in Hialeah and served for five years with the Miami-Dade Police Department

At just 29 years old, the officer was getting his career started as part of the Robbery Intervention Detail.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved playing baseball and biking, but his top priority was spending time with his family and fiancée and protecting this community.

He laid his life on the line for his community, and his dedication will never be forgotten.

His family, both in blood and in blue, were there when he took his last breath, and they were there, riding alongside him until the very end.

Echaverry leaves behind a mother, father, a sister and his fiancée.

Just before 10:30 a.m., the ceremonious transport ended.

Once funeral plans are in place, another procession with carry his body from the ME’s office to the funeral home. Details of his funeral remain unknown.

Meanwhile, the tributes continue, including this photo and statement from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue:

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